ConstructioNews
Vol 31 No 5 (05-2022)
Key Items in the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy (I)
Key Items in the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy –
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) & San Tin Technopole
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai)
Located on opposite sides of the Shenzhen Bay within the Shenzhen Bay Quality Development Circle, the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA) and the Qianhai Co-operation Zone in Shenzhen have respective considerable development potential. The HSK/HT NDA will be upgraded as the New Territories North Central Business District (NTN CBD) and the transport linkage with Qianhai will be strengthened. Underground space of the regional open space has been reserved, which is adjacent to the proposed HSK Station of the Tuen Ma Line, for accommodating the cross-boundary rail station for the link between HSK and Qianhai. Hong Kong may also examine with Shenzhen the implementation of the rail link with Co-Location Arrangement in Qianhai.
By linking up the HSK/HT NDA and the Qianhai Co-operation Zone with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, the locational advantages of both areas can be strengthened. Further supported by road networks, the two areas can then become a strategic hub of the transport corridor on the east bank of the Pearl River (connecting southwards to the Hong Kong International Airport and linking up with Zhuhai and Macao; and connecting northwards to Dongguan and Guangzhou via the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport).
Expanding the Scale and Capacity of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area
In planning the detailed alignment of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, consideration will be given to making way to Qianhai by the shortest route across the Shenzhen Bay. The provision of additional stations along the railway on the Hong Kong side and increase in development intensity around the stations can be considered. Also, the HSK/HT NDA may be expanded to cover Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui, thus substantially increasing the provision of housing and economic land. 58. According to preliminary estimate, some 47,000 to 52,500 additional residential units can be provided upon the inclusion of land in Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui into the HSK/HT NDA.
Examining the Development Potential of the Areas Stretching from Lau Fau Shan to Pak Nai
There is a large amount of developable land resources in the area between Lau Fau Shan and Pak Nai which are endowed with hilly backdrop and open waters. The development potential of the area to be incorporated in the HSK/HT NDA and the feasibility of constructing an automated people mover (APM) system from Tsim Bei Tsui to Pak Nai under the premise of conserving the coastal ecological environment should be examined. The APM system is to promote the development along the coast of Tsim Bei Tsui/Lau Fau Shan/Pak Nai and to connect with stations along the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link and the planned Environmental Friendly Transport System in the HSK/HT NDA, as an enhancement to the transport network of the NDA upon expansion.
The preliminary estimate is that about 15,500 to 17,500 residential units can be provided in the area from Lau Fau Shan to Pak Nai.
Hong Kong’s Silicon Valley - San Tin Technopole
Increasing Land Supply Substantially for Innovation and Technology Uses
It is estimated that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP) in the Loop under construction can provide in total about 87 hectares of land for I&T use. The planned gross floor area is about three times that of the Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP) at Pak Shek Kok.
Land for I&T development can be substantially increased in the San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area by: (1) making an optimal use of the nearly 60 hectares of land proposed for use of enterprise and technology park located at the north of the ST/LMC DN; (2) using the 20 hectares formed land for I&T development upon relocation of facilities at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point on the Hong Kong side to the new Huanggang BCP on the Shenzhen side; and (3) re-planning about 70 hectares of fish ponds and rural land adjacent to the original Lok Ma Chau Control Point for I&T uses. It is estimated that the land supply increased for I&T use can contribute to as much as about 150 hectares in land area. In terms of GFA that can be accommodated, the development scale will be equivalent to 13.5 HKSP in number. Together with the HSITP under construction, the total GFA that can be accommodated in the entire San Tin Technopole can be as large as 16.5 HKSP in number.
Expediting the Implementation of the Northern Link Spur Line
To strengthen direct transport links between the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen I&T Zone, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have agreed in principle to jointly promote the planning study of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line. It should run through the HSITP to connect the ST/ LMC DN with the new Huanggang BCP, where Co-location Arrangement will be implemented, thereby offering cross-boundary passengers an additional choice of transport means.
The NOL Spur Line as a cross-boundary railway should be implemented promptly, so that the stations along the railway can be utilised as the basis to enhance the development potential and attraction of the area. It can also facilitate cross-boundary connections between the I&T practitioners on both sides of the Shenzhen River, thereby achieving stronger synergy.
Strengthening the Internal and External Transport Links of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park
The Phase 1 development of the HSITP has commenced. The detailed design of Phase 1 development should be able to accommodate the station facilities of the NOL Spur Line. The feasibility of an integrated design and development of the station and the surrounding land uses as a whole should be further examined.
The Development Strategy supports the construction of a bridge, spanning across the Shenzhen River for the use by pedestrians and cyclists, to link up the HSITP with the Fulin Small BCP in Shenzhen. Besides, implementation of innovative immigration clearance arrangements is supported to facilitate the frequent daily cross-boundary travel of I&T practitioners in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
In addition, with due regard for conserving wetlands in Hoo Hok Wai, early consideration should be given to constructing a link road between the eastern part of the HSITP and the KTN NDA, with a view to significantly improving the transport connection of the HSITP. The feasibility of increasing the development intensity of the HSITP with an appropriate scale should also be explored.
Developing the San Tin Technopole as Hong Kong’s Silicon Valley
The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Close Interaction Circle encompasses San Tin/Lok Ma Chau, KTN and other areas in Hong Kong as well as Futian and Luohu in Shenzhen. It is a district where the largest number of boundary control points are closely located with the most intensive interactions taking place between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area within the Circle connects with the Shenzhen I&T Zone in Huanggang on the other side of the Shenzhen River. Targeted to generate profound international impact and strong radiate effect, Futian is also being developed as Shenzhen’s metropolitan core with a Central Innovation District, a Central Business District and a Central Civic District. Being close to Huanggang and Futian, the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area for I&T development would be the most important area in this Circle.
At present, the existing Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (LMC Spur Line) Station and individual development projects such as the HSITP and the ST/LMC DN in the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area are in a fragmented spatial pattern, and transport connectivity within the area is weak. For better integration, the overall spatial layout has to be consolidated and optimised.
Substantial increase of land supply for I&T industry and overall enhancement of internal and external transportation of the San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area can provide opportunities for the making of the San Tin Technopole. With a forward-looking planning perspective, we can design the Technopole with an enlarged scale, more effective spatial layout with a diversified land use pattern. It can be able to integrate the LMC Spur Line Station, the HSITP and the ST/LMC DN and connect closely with Futian and Huanggang in Shenzhen, and form itself a focal point converging with energy from the industry, academia and research sectors for the future I&T development in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as a development zone for promoting in-depth integration between the two cities.
The fully integrated San Tin Technopole would include four cross-boundary routes connecting with Shenzhen: (1) the existing LMC Spur Line Station (for rail passengers); (2) the connecting road linked to the new Huanggang BCP (for road passengers and goods vehicles); (3) the NOL Spur Line linked to the new Huanggang BCP (for rail passengers); and (4) the footbridge connecting to the Fulin Small BCP (for passengers). Facilities for Co-location Arrangement can be set up in the new Huanggang BCP and Fulin Small BCP on the Shenzhen side. The San Tin Technopole can then become an area in Hong Kong with the highest concentration of connections with Shenzhen via the BCPs and the greatest intensity of cross-boundary interactions between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The San Tin Technopole has an estimated area of about 1,100 hectares, broadly divided into two halves of conservation and development portions. It would offer a beautiful scenery of the proposed Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park and can provide a total of 45,500 to 47,500 residential units (including 14,500 to 16,500 additional units proposed in this Development Strategy).
Reference: Northern Metropolis Development Strategy Report by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) & San Tin Technopole
Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai)
Located on opposite sides of the Shenzhen Bay within the Shenzhen Bay Quality Development Circle, the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area (HSK/HT NDA) and the Qianhai Co-operation Zone in Shenzhen have respective considerable development potential. The HSK/HT NDA will be upgraded as the New Territories North Central Business District (NTN CBD) and the transport linkage with Qianhai will be strengthened. Underground space of the regional open space has been reserved, which is adjacent to the proposed HSK Station of the Tuen Ma Line, for accommodating the cross-boundary rail station for the link between HSK and Qianhai. Hong Kong may also examine with Shenzhen the implementation of the rail link with Co-Location Arrangement in Qianhai.
By linking up the HSK/HT NDA and the Qianhai Co-operation Zone with the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, the locational advantages of both areas can be strengthened. Further supported by road networks, the two areas can then become a strategic hub of the transport corridor on the east bank of the Pearl River (connecting southwards to the Hong Kong International Airport and linking up with Zhuhai and Macao; and connecting northwards to Dongguan and Guangzhou via the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport).
Expanding the Scale and Capacity of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area
In planning the detailed alignment of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link, consideration will be given to making way to Qianhai by the shortest route across the Shenzhen Bay. The provision of additional stations along the railway on the Hong Kong side and increase in development intensity around the stations can be considered. Also, the HSK/HT NDA may be expanded to cover Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui, thus substantially increasing the provision of housing and economic land. 58. According to preliminary estimate, some 47,000 to 52,500 additional residential units can be provided upon the inclusion of land in Lau Fau Shan and Tsim Bei Tsui into the HSK/HT NDA.
Examining the Development Potential of the Areas Stretching from Lau Fau Shan to Pak Nai
There is a large amount of developable land resources in the area between Lau Fau Shan and Pak Nai which are endowed with hilly backdrop and open waters. The development potential of the area to be incorporated in the HSK/HT NDA and the feasibility of constructing an automated people mover (APM) system from Tsim Bei Tsui to Pak Nai under the premise of conserving the coastal ecological environment should be examined. The APM system is to promote the development along the coast of Tsim Bei Tsui/Lau Fau Shan/Pak Nai and to connect with stations along the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link and the planned Environmental Friendly Transport System in the HSK/HT NDA, as an enhancement to the transport network of the NDA upon expansion.
The preliminary estimate is that about 15,500 to 17,500 residential units can be provided in the area from Lau Fau Shan to Pak Nai.
Hong Kong’s Silicon Valley - San Tin Technopole
Increasing Land Supply Substantially for Innovation and Technology Uses
It is estimated that the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited (HSITP) in the Loop under construction can provide in total about 87 hectares of land for I&T use. The planned gross floor area is about three times that of the Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP) at Pak Shek Kok.
Land for I&T development can be substantially increased in the San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area by: (1) making an optimal use of the nearly 60 hectares of land proposed for use of enterprise and technology park located at the north of the ST/LMC DN; (2) using the 20 hectares formed land for I&T development upon relocation of facilities at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point on the Hong Kong side to the new Huanggang BCP on the Shenzhen side; and (3) re-planning about 70 hectares of fish ponds and rural land adjacent to the original Lok Ma Chau Control Point for I&T uses. It is estimated that the land supply increased for I&T use can contribute to as much as about 150 hectares in land area. In terms of GFA that can be accommodated, the development scale will be equivalent to 13.5 HKSP in number. Together with the HSITP under construction, the total GFA that can be accommodated in the entire San Tin Technopole can be as large as 16.5 HKSP in number.
Expediting the Implementation of the Northern Link Spur Line
To strengthen direct transport links between the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area in Hong Kong and the Shenzhen I&T Zone, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have agreed in principle to jointly promote the planning study of the Northern Link (NOL) Spur Line. It should run through the HSITP to connect the ST/ LMC DN with the new Huanggang BCP, where Co-location Arrangement will be implemented, thereby offering cross-boundary passengers an additional choice of transport means.
The NOL Spur Line as a cross-boundary railway should be implemented promptly, so that the stations along the railway can be utilised as the basis to enhance the development potential and attraction of the area. It can also facilitate cross-boundary connections between the I&T practitioners on both sides of the Shenzhen River, thereby achieving stronger synergy.
Strengthening the Internal and External Transport Links of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park
The Phase 1 development of the HSITP has commenced. The detailed design of Phase 1 development should be able to accommodate the station facilities of the NOL Spur Line. The feasibility of an integrated design and development of the station and the surrounding land uses as a whole should be further examined.
The Development Strategy supports the construction of a bridge, spanning across the Shenzhen River for the use by pedestrians and cyclists, to link up the HSITP with the Fulin Small BCP in Shenzhen. Besides, implementation of innovative immigration clearance arrangements is supported to facilitate the frequent daily cross-boundary travel of I&T practitioners in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
In addition, with due regard for conserving wetlands in Hoo Hok Wai, early consideration should be given to constructing a link road between the eastern part of the HSITP and the KTN NDA, with a view to significantly improving the transport connection of the HSITP. The feasibility of increasing the development intensity of the HSITP with an appropriate scale should also be explored.
Developing the San Tin Technopole as Hong Kong’s Silicon Valley
The Hong Kong-Shenzhen Close Interaction Circle encompasses San Tin/Lok Ma Chau, KTN and other areas in Hong Kong as well as Futian and Luohu in Shenzhen. It is a district where the largest number of boundary control points are closely located with the most intensive interactions taking place between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area within the Circle connects with the Shenzhen I&T Zone in Huanggang on the other side of the Shenzhen River. Targeted to generate profound international impact and strong radiate effect, Futian is also being developed as Shenzhen’s metropolitan core with a Central Innovation District, a Central Business District and a Central Civic District. Being close to Huanggang and Futian, the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area for I&T development would be the most important area in this Circle.
At present, the existing Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (LMC Spur Line) Station and individual development projects such as the HSITP and the ST/LMC DN in the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau area are in a fragmented spatial pattern, and transport connectivity within the area is weak. For better integration, the overall spatial layout has to be consolidated and optimised.
Substantial increase of land supply for I&T industry and overall enhancement of internal and external transportation of the San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau area can provide opportunities for the making of the San Tin Technopole. With a forward-looking planning perspective, we can design the Technopole with an enlarged scale, more effective spatial layout with a diversified land use pattern. It can be able to integrate the LMC Spur Line Station, the HSITP and the ST/LMC DN and connect closely with Futian and Huanggang in Shenzhen, and form itself a focal point converging with energy from the industry, academia and research sectors for the future I&T development in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, as well as a development zone for promoting in-depth integration between the two cities.
The fully integrated San Tin Technopole would include four cross-boundary routes connecting with Shenzhen: (1) the existing LMC Spur Line Station (for rail passengers); (2) the connecting road linked to the new Huanggang BCP (for road passengers and goods vehicles); (3) the NOL Spur Line linked to the new Huanggang BCP (for rail passengers); and (4) the footbridge connecting to the Fulin Small BCP (for passengers). Facilities for Co-location Arrangement can be set up in the new Huanggang BCP and Fulin Small BCP on the Shenzhen side. The San Tin Technopole can then become an area in Hong Kong with the highest concentration of connections with Shenzhen via the BCPs and the greatest intensity of cross-boundary interactions between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
The San Tin Technopole has an estimated area of about 1,100 hectares, broadly divided into two halves of conservation and development portions. It would offer a beautiful scenery of the proposed Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park and can provide a total of 45,500 to 47,500 residential units (including 14,500 to 16,500 additional units proposed in this Development Strategy).
Reference: Northern Metropolis Development Strategy Report by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government