University town to set aside land to capitalise on future social, tech changes

Education minister Christine Choi says university town, which falls under Northern Metropolis, to have distinctive Hong Kong characteristics

A proposed university town in Hong Kong will set aside vacant land to capitalise on future opportunities arising from social and technological changes, a minister has said, days after a top official revealed that the project size could be tripled to 300 hectares (741 acres).

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin on Wednesday told the Legislative Council that the proposed university town, which falls under the Northern Metropolis megaproject, would have distinctive Hong Kong characteristics and form part of national integration efforts.

The government’s working group for the university town earlier visited the project areas, as well as travelling to several science and technology parks in mainland China, South Korea, Germany and Switzerland between March and May to learn about their development experiences.

“When referencing overseas experiences, we must take into account Hong Kong’s own strengths and unique characteristics,” Choi said.

“We will adapt the lessons learned flexibly to suit the local conditions … to develop a modern university town that possesses distinctive Hong Kong characteristics while integrating into and serving the nation.”

The wider Northern Metropolis megaproject aims to transform 30,000 hectares into a major economic engine and housing hub.