Details of Northern Metropolis University Town Sites to Be Announced; Area Expected to Double as Government's HK$10 Billion Loan Facility May Be Increased

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The Policy Address to be announced on Wednesday will make the Northern Metropolis University Town a highlight of the education portfolio. Of the nearly 1,000-hectare university town area, 300 hectares have been designated as the "core campus zone," with three university town sites in Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen set to be put out to tender soon. Sources say the Policy Address will also announce details of university town sites in the two major development areas of Ngau Tam Mei and the New Territories North New Town, with the area expected to double compared with the original plan. Institutions moving in must develop the sites at their own expense, and the government's reserved HK$10 billion loan facility may be increased.

The first batch of university sites put out to tender in the Northern Metropolis University Town is located in the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen development area, with a total area of more than 22 hectares, comprising three sites of 12.7 hectares, 5.3 hectares and 4.4 hectares respectively. The largest site is planned for phased development, with the first phase of about 5 hectares expected to be completed by the end of the year, and the remainder by the end of next year. Post-secondary institutions, including the eight publicly funded universities, submitted a total of 19 expressions of interest earlier, with some institutions interested in establishing "satellite campuses" or "second campuses."

About 52 hectares are currently reserved in Ngau Tam Mei for the development of the university town, positioned to align with the innovation and technology development of the San Tin Technopole and the Loop area. The authorities have also reserved land for the medical school to be established by HKUST, as well as for the development of an integrated medical teaching and research hospital, with the first site to be made available in 2028. The New Territories North New Town originally planned 40 hectares for the university town, with the first site expected to be made available in 2029–30. The government has reserved land for the development of the Academy for Performing Arts' second campus, and some land will also be kept for "strategic reserve."

Sources say the authorities insist that institutions must develop the university town at their own expense and will place emphasis on institutions' financial strength. Drawing on overseas experience, universities can leverage market forces to raise financing through their reputation and sound finances, and the University of Hong Kong has already taken the lead in issuing bonds to raise funds for the development of the university town.