The Northern Metropolis is in the news almost every day. The big policy focus for the administration, it is determining a new future for Hong Kong. Part of the New Territories, which were dubbed “a land between” in the 1980s, the area was once little more than a rural leftover between urban Hong Kong and the mainland, where Shenzhen’s paddy fields could be seen from a Lok Ma Chau hill.
China’s opening-up policies saw Deng Xiaoping promoting Shenzhen in the 1990s. Suddenly, a world-class, high-rise economic miracle existed to the north of Hong Kong. We planners argued that the context for the planning of the northern New Territories should recognise this change, but successive administrations did not make this conceptual leap.
Instead, we had the disjointed development of several “new towns”, mainly providing housing. In between were large areas of mixed commercial, residential and industrial activities mainly in temporary buildings, essentially unplanned rural slums. Across the river is now a gleaming new city, bigger than Hong Kong, enjoying success as China’s Silicon Valley and a reputation as a “garden city”. Hongkongers increasingly enjoy going there.
For about 20 years, Hong Kong struggled to identify a clear role in this fast-changing economic environment. But China’s 14th five-year plan provided a policy context in which Hong Kong could play a positive role. It also established a regional role for Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area.
Almost every document relating to the Northern Metropolis starts with reference to the 14th five-year plan. More recent ones, such as the latest conceptual outline plan for the San Tin Technopole in November, reference the 15th five-year plan (2026 to 2030). The establishment of national policy objectives for Hong Kong provides a context for the Northern Metropolis and a guide for the future.
The Northern Metropolis brand has given a new identity to a very disparate area stretching across northern Hong Kong from Sha Tau Kok in the east to Lau Fau Shan in the west. This includes the towns of Tin Shui Wai and Yuen Long, the wetlands of Mai Po and the ecologically important recreational areas of eastern Tai Po.
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