Hong Kong push to double size of tech hub raises fears over migratory flyway fate

Hong Kong has proposed doubling the size of a digital technology hub in its Northern Metropolis megaproject and allowing landmark towers of up to about 250 metres (820 feet) tall, sparking concerns among environmentalists about risks to migratory birds. The revised proposal for Lau Fau Shan, to be discussed by the Yuen Long District Council’s town planning and development committee on Thursday, would expand the planned digital technology hub from 15 to 30 hectares (37 to 74 acres), with a total floor area of about 900,000 square metres (90 hectares). Thirty hectares is about one and a half times the size of Victoria Park. Buildings near the planned Lau Fau Shan station on the proposed Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link could reach a maximum of around 250 metres to serve as “landmarks” for the area. Depending on floor height, the tallest buildings could range from roughly 50 to more than 80 storeys. Building height limits would taper for sites closer to the waterfront and other sensitive locations, falling to as low as about 20 metres near the historic Sha Kong Tsuen Tin Hau Temple. Lau Fau Shan, which means “floating mountain” in Chinese, sits on the shore of Deep Bay, facing Shenzhen’s Shekou across the water. The area is part of the Northern Metropolis megaproject, which will provide 43,200 jobs and 48,900 flats, with the dual purpose of serving as a “digital technology hub” and an “ecotourism node”. The amendments follow a public consultation in 2024 and industry feedback received in April last year. According to the paper, expanding the proposed site for the digital technology hub would increase its accommodation capacity from 1,800 to 5,000 people. However, Lau Fau Shan lies close to several wetlands, including a 1,500-hectare site recognised under the international Ramsar Convention for its ecological significance and located in the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay region. According to the Environment and Ecology Bureau, the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site serves as a critical stopover along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, supporting more than 50,000 migratory waterbirds each year, including the globally endangered Black-faced Spoonbill. To conserve such routes, the government has proposed designating a “bird-flight corridor” about 250 to 300 metres wide, in the vicinity of Tin Yuet Road. Under the plan, the affected land will be largely set aside for an open space, a green belt and low-rise government institutions and community facilities. But environmentalists have raised concerns about the plan. “At first glance, I am surprised that ‘tourism-related uses’ are zoned right next to the Deep Bay mudflats, especially around Tsim Bei Tsui, since this will greatly enhance human disturbance to the birds relying on these mudflats,” said Lam Chiu-ying, the honorary president of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society. He added that Hong Kong must avoid worsening the decades-long decline in Deep Bay’s bird population, calling for a “serious study” during the coming consultation period. Roy Ng Hei-man, campaign manager of the Conservancy Association, noted that the changes to the Lau Fau Shan blueprint raised environmental concerns, warning that building landmark structures in this critically important bird habitat could fragment avifaunal flight paths. He suggested that the government establish a mechanism to ensure that key ecological features were strictly maintained, and called for comprehensive environmental guidelines to steer developers on mitigation measures. Chan Kim-ching, founder of the Liber Research Community, said the blueprints outlining a mixed “tourism plus property” project appeared highly ambitious. “The construction could cause significant disruption to the environment,” he said, adding that the wider area encompassed land of high ecological value. Lawmaker Duncan Chiu emphasised the necessity of balancing the use of land for innovation and technology with ecological conservation, stating that he would welcome the expansion of the tech hub provided there was no adverse environmental impact. He added that the government still had ample time to conduct comprehensive studies on how the revised blueprint would affect the local ecosystem. The land rezoning process and land acquisition are expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year, with construction to begin as early as 2028. The Environmental Protection Department told the South China Morning Post that the hub was part of developments in the Lau Fau Shan, Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai project for which the Civil Engineering and Development Department was now applying for an Environmental Impact Assessment study brief. The brief will take into account the latest planned developments and require the project proponent to assess the potential environmental impacts. The visual impact of any tall buildings will also be assessed. The South China Morning Post has reached out to the Development Bureau for comment. Under the Northern Metropolis scheme, 30,000 hectares of land near the border with mainland China will be transformed into an engine for economic growth and a housing hub. The plan includes an innovation and technology zone, a commerce and industry zone, a high-end professional services and logistics hub, and an area featuring recreation and conservation elements. Additional reporting by Danny Mok

Hong Kong push to double size of tech hub raises fears over migratory flyway fate

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Under amended proposal, planned project size will increase from 15 to 30 hectares and building height limit will reach up to about 250 metres

Under amended proposal, planned project size will increase from 15 to 30 hectares and building height limit will reach up to about 250 metres