"Accelerating the Building Process of the Northern Metropolis by Employing Bamboo Scaffolding Workers"
The Northern Metropolis, a planned development spanning approximately 30,000 hectares, is set to transform Hong Kong's landscape and economy, marking the largest project in the city since the 1950s New Town building program. This vast project, intended to extend from Hung Shui Kiu in the west to Sha Tau Kok in the east, will focus on Hong Kong's hi-tech future and integration with the 87 million-strong population of the Greater Bay Area economy. The Northern Metropolis aims to add 500,000 homes to accommodate a population of up to 2.5 million people, currently 980,000, and create about 650,000 more jobs, with current employment being 134,000. The cost of the Northern Metropolis project is estimated to be around HK$225 billion (US$28.93 billion), and superior construction methods will be employed to ensure its longevity. A detailed 'action agenda' for the Northern Metropolis was released two years ago, outlining the steps towards its development. A powerful new body, overseen by Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, will coordinate the development, financing, and operations of the Northern Metropolis. The exact details regarding who oversees the coordination of construction, financing, and operation of the Northern Metropolis in Hong Kong are not currently available. The first of three Northern Metropolis university towns will be located in Hung Shui Kiu, with the site for the university town expected to be ready for use next year. Fast-tracked planning applications are promised for the Northern Metropolis, suggesting a swift progression of the project. However, as of now, there is still barely any concrete evidence of the existence of the Northern Metropolis. Despite its ambitious plans, the project's progress remains to be seen. The Northern Metropolis is intended to transform the green lung separating Hong Kong from Shenzhen, but whether it will achieve this goal remains to be seen. The Northern Metropolis was first unveiled almost four years ago, and it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of Hong Kong. The project is expected to play a significant role in Hong Kong's development, but its success will depend on its execution and the support it receives from the community and the government.
