Hong Kong

The Villages Being Torn Down To Make Way for Hong Kong’s Tech Hub

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By Justin Wu/Shir Bashi/Michael Reid

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Families in northern Hong Kong are being displaced as the government develops the Northern Metropolis project, a massive tech hub along the border with Shenzhen. More than two dozen villages are slated for demolition. The government says the project will create 650,000 jobs, house 2.5 million people and cover about 30,000 hectares, including wetlands and wildlife habitats. Supporters see the project as a way to transform Hong Kong’s economy and expand technology and innovation. But some residents and researchers question whether the scale of development is justified, citing the loss of homes, communities and ecological resources. The project is expected to be completed in the mid-2040s.

Niki So’s village ...  was one of over 2 dozen slated for demolition as part of the Northern Metropolis Project --- a massive tech hub under development along Hong Kong's border with Shenzhen, China.

NIKI SO, RESIDENT:
“Wherever I move to afterwards will always just feel like a residence to me and I wouldn’t describe it as my real home because this is where I was born this was built by my family. So it's a very different thing.”

The government says the project will  create 650,000 jobs, house 2.5 million people and cover about 30,000 hectares... Or...about a third of Hong Kong  --- including some of its wetlands and wildlife habitats.

BRIAN WONG, LIBER RESEARCH COMMUNITY:
“We still haven't seen a very precise estimate as to why 30,000 hectares are needed. The number might be a projected figure. Is there actually such a strong demand? If not, we might have wasted some money and sacrificed some pre-existing communities, cultural resources and ecological environment.”

If successful, the project could change Hong Kong's economy --- from traditional sectors like finance and real-estate -- to new sectors like tech and innovation.

NIKI SO, RESIDENT:
“I hope the development here will really go well, that it will thrive. Maybe in the future Kwu Tung will provide a nice living environment and more Hongkongers will end up living here. I heard many government offices will also move here. I hope this area will become a major hub. If it doesn't turn out as expected then I think the sacrifice of this village would be quite a pity.”

If all goes to plan, the Northern Metropolis Project should be complete in the mid 2040s.

For people like Niki So, now living in public housing, it means a 2-decade wait to see if the project is worth the prices she, and people like her, have paid.

Justin Wu, Shir Bashi and Michael Reid for TaiwanPlus.