Written by 
Stacy Shi
About 46 hectares at Ngau Tam Mei – or one-third of the 127-hectare development in the Northern Metropolis – will be set aside for developing UniTown, including Hong Kong’s third medical school, according to a Development Bureau spokesman.
Roughly nine hectares will be reserved for an integrated hospital, providing about 3,000 beds and 18 hectares for residential use.
The spokesman said UniTown is being established to “encourage local post-secondary institutions to introduce more branded programs, research collaboration and exchange projects with renowned mainland and overseas institutions in a flexible and innovative manner.”
A working group aims to complete its scrutiny of proposals submitted by universities by next year, finalizing its recommendation on which university should establish the third medical school.
The government will make efforts to provide ancillary facilities in UniTown, such as data centers, conference facilities, sports and recreation facilities and hostels to house approximately 20,000 students.
The bureau estimates that the Ngau Tam Mei project will experience an influx of about 32,000 to 36,000 people and provide about 22,000 to 26,000 job opportunities.
The 18 hectares of land near Ngau Tam Mei station will be used for the construction of 12,000 to 13,000 residential units, with the majority of these units to be constructed in private residential buildings.
In terms of transport, public transport interchanges will be built near Ngau Tam Mei station and within UniTown to provide public transport and interchange feeder services.
Apart from traditional government-funded and government-led land formation and infrastructure arrangements, the spokesman said they would consider other modes, such as in-situ land exchange and rail-plus-property development, so as to leverage market forces to boost the speed of the project and ensure the sustainability of public finance.
The government will commence a two-month public engagement exercise starting today.
There will be a series of publicity activities, including roving exhibitions and briefing sessions with relevant stakeholders.
Members of the public can make their opinions heard by post or email on or before January 13.
The site formation work for the first batch of land – comprising residential housing, the integrated hospital and UniTown – is expected to be completed in phases from 2029 onward.
The first group of residents is expected to move in beginning in 2034 to dovetail with the commissioning of the Northern Link Main Line.
Ryan Ip Man-ki, vice president of Our Hong Kong Foundation, welcomed the proposal, while also suggesting that transport such as autonomous rail rapid transit should be provided to offer round-the-clock service for residents, students, research talent and patients.
stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com