‘Greater Bay Area’ plan could solve Hong Kong’s land needs, Chief Executive Carrie Lam and former city leader CY Leung say
Suggestions at forum centre on proximity of mainland cities under scheme, which could mean more development and living space for Hongkongers
China’s “Greater Bay Area” project could answer Hong Kong’s housing needs and address land shortage, both the city’s former leader and its current chief executive said at a forum on Wednesday.
Referring to the central government’s scheme to link cities in the Pearl River Delta into an integrated economic and business hub, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and her predecessor Leung Chun-ying said the bay area project could provide opportunities for Hongkongers to look for flats, schools and care facilities for the elderly outside the space-starved city.
During the Asia Pacific Summit held by non-profit organisation Urban Land Institute on Wednesday, Lam said the city’s limited land supply posed certain constraints, but the bay area plan could help change that.
“Without land, I can’t entertain requests for industries to [be based in Hong Kong], whether these are science and technology, or setting up another international school, or building a private hospital and so on. That is where the bay area project may come in,” she said.