The URA of Hong Kong held a seminar focusing on Beidu construction and urban renewal

China News Service, Hong Kong, November 10th. The Urban Renewal Authority of Hong Kong (URA) held a seminar on "Co-discussion, Co-construction, Co-creation - Building a high-quality and livable new pattern for Hong Kong" at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on the 9th. More than 400 representatives from the Hong Kong SAR Government, the SAR Legislative Council and the construction and other sectors attended the seminar.

Ning Hon-ho, Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government, revealed that the SAR government has reserved three plots of land in the Kwu Tung North and Fanling North New Development Areas in the Northern Metropolitan District (Pakto) for the URA to consider building new units as replacement units under the new "flat-for-flat" program in the future. The Development Bureau is jointly reviewing the financial and operational models with the URA, including reviewing the cash acquisition mechanism for "seven-year-old buildings in the same district" and the "flat-for-flat" arrangement, with the goal of putting forward specific proposals and launching consultations in the first half of 2027.

Ning Hanhao said that the SAR government will take the initiative to align with the national "15th Five-Year Plan", accelerate the construction of the northern metropolitan area, promote the renewal of old areas with new thinking, and improve the level of building safety management.

URA Executive Director Cai Wangxing said that Hong Kong's first five-year plan clearly proposed to promote the renewal of old areas with new thinking, and urban renewal has become an important issue for Hong Kong's future development. The URA hopes to promote innovation based on existing achievements and review how the current system keeps pace with the times. While protecting the rights and interests of affected residents, it also enhances the sustainability of urban renewal work and its ability to cope with future challenges.

On November 9, the Urban Renewal Authority of Hong Kong held a seminar on "Co-discuss, Co-build, Co-create - Building a high-quality and livable new pattern for Hong Kong" at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. (Photo courtesy of the organizer)

The seminar focused on topics such as "Hong Kong 2030+", "Artificial Intelligence+", and exploring conservation and revitalization strategies in urban renewal. Among them, "Hong Kong 2030+" was hosted by Wen Zhuofei, president of Zhijian Mingjia Media. Participants focused on Hong Kong's population and building issues and discussed the current "seven-year-old building in the same district" cash acquisition mechanism, as well as making good use of reserved land in the northern metropolitan area to promote "flat-for-flat" asset exchange arrangements, so as to promote urban renewal and form a healthy and diverse collaborative ecosystem.

In addition, the conference included two keynote speeches on Hong Kong’s livable urban pattern and sustainable urban renewal, exploring how to build a more livable, dynamic and resilient city through cross-border collaboration and innovative strategies to meet Hong Kong’s long-term development needs. (over)