Hong Kong’s 5-year plan will hinge on how it measures success
From boosting growth to improving liveability, city planning is most effective when matched by consistent execution and accountability
The exercise offers a chance not only to discuss what Hong Kong hopes to achieve by 2030, but also how its success should be measured. That second question is perhaps the more important one.
Hong Kong has never lacked ambition. Over the years, the city has set out clear aspirations for strengthening its position as an international financial centre, developing into an innovation and technology centre, attracting global talent and improving the quality of life for residents. The challenge has rarely been defining the destination. It has been more about measuring progress along the journey.
No successful company would invest billions of dollars without establishing objectives, setting milestones and regularly reviewing performance. Cities should be no different.
If Hong Kong’s first five-year plan is to make a lasting contribution, it should focus on a small number of priorities and establish clear indicators with which progress can be assessed. Among the many important issues facing the city, three stand out.
