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Development Advantages

Located at the northern part of Hong Kong, the Northern Metropolis is close to Shenzhen’s
metropolitan core and innovation and technology (I&T) base with the strongest development
momentum, and it also enjoys the locational advantage of covering seven boundary control
points. The Northern Metropolis covers an area of 30 000 ha in the northern part of Hong
Kong, representing about one-third of the total area of the territory. It encompasses existing
new towns (Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, Fanling/Sheung Shui) as well as a number of New

Development Areas (NDAs) (Kwu Tung North, Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen, Yuen
Long South) that have been undergoing various stages of planning and construction. We hope
to leverage the strengths of the whole area and to utilise the land resources which are yet to be
fully developed.

The KYCAI will be strategically located in the middle of the Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and
Lantau Island, within the expanded Harbour Metropolis. It is only around 4 km from Hong
Kong Island West and around 15 km from the Hong Kong International Airport and Hong Kong-
Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing. The KYCAI will provide 1 000 ha of land
to develop a new central district. Together, the two projects in the northern and western parts

of the territory will strengthen Hong Kong’s unique advantage of enjoying strong support of
the Motherland while being closely connected to the world, and will integrate better into our
country’s development.

Strategic Positioning

The Northern Metropolis and the KYCAI will be two key engines driving the future development
of Hong Kong. These two projects will be implemented in tandem to expand the development
capacity of Hong Kong and establish a new industry pattern for the city’s development of
“South-North dual engine (finance - I&T)”.

The Northern Metropolis will be developed into a “new international I&T city”, integrating quality
life, industries as well as culture and leisure. Adopting an "industry-driven and infrastructure-
led" approach as its key planning axle, the Northern Metropolis will integrate deeply with the

planning of Shenzhen and other GBA cities, and forge a major hub for Hong Kong to integrate
into the overall development of our country. The Northern Metropolis will promote better home-
job balance and green living, and allow the integration of development with conservation.

The KYCAI will be developed into a new central district with a view to increasing public and
private housing supply, while at the same time further enhancing Hong Kong’s economic
competitiveness through the development of a third Central Business District (CBD3). The

proposed strategic transport infrastructure for supporting the artificial islands will significantly
enhance the connection between the Harbour Metropolis and the Northern Metropolis, reinforce
Lantau’s edge as “Double Gateway” to the world and other GBA cities, and further refine Hong
Kong’s overall transportation network. Situated not far from the existing urban area, the KYCAI
can offer decanting spaces to support the chain flows arising from the redevelopment of old
urban districts of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
13 PLANNING DEPARTMENT | ANNUAL REPORT 2022/2023