Experts shoot down artificial island proposal for housing 1.1 million Hongkongers, citing costs and environmental concerns
Plan suggested by former Hong Kong leader’s think tank lacks proper understanding of building constraints and impact on wildlife, critics say
An artificial island to solve Hong Kong’s housing problems could fall short of expectations, experts have warned, highlighting several discrepancies in the proposal.
From environmental and cost concerns to time constraints, questions were raised about whether an “ambitious” plan to reclaim 2,200 hectares of land to the east of Lantau Island was as feasible as think tank Our Hong Kong Foundation had claimed.
Hung Wing-tat, a long-time member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, said such a large project would take between 20 and 30 years – much longer than the 14 years the foundation projected – especially with the addition of six new transport routes.
Under the think tank’s suggestion, three railways and three motorways would connect the island to Kennedy Town on Hong Kong Island, Northern Lantau and Tuen Mun in New Territories West.
“The timeline estimated [assumes] the project goes full-speed ahead without any external factors affecting it,” Hung said. “We all know it’s not the construction that takes time, but opposition to such a project, especially if it involves sensitive issues.”
The think tank, founded by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, said Hong Kong had delivered an ambitious project on a similar scale in the past, citing Hong Kong International Airport that was built on reclaimed land within eight years.