Why lack of clear vision is holding back Northern Metropolis’ future

Hong Kong recently celebrated a significant milestone: the grand opening of the Kai Tak Stadium. On a weekend as I jogged past the venue, the Kai Tak Run – the sport park’s first running event – was in full swing. Hundreds of participants embarked on a route winding around the youth park, the main stadium, Kai Tak Arena and the retail complex. The atmosphere was electric.

What struck me most was how the area around the sports ground has emerged. New residential towers have risen, a sprawling shopping centre has opened for business and the MTR’s Sung Wong Toi and Kai Tak stations now connect the area to the rest of the city. Nearby, the construction of transitional public housing and the juxtaposition of old airport runway sites with the cruise terminal paint a vivid picture of a district in transition.

Since the launch of the Kai Tak Development Plan, the vision for this area has gradually come to life. Today, Kai Tak stands as a modern hub blending sports, arts and tourism, with its sleek aesthetic contrasting sharply with the historical features and ageing charm of the neighbouring Kowloon City. Past and future converge beneath the shadow of the Lion Rock, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique urban diversity.

Kai Tak is just one piece of a larger puzzle. In recent years, the government has rolled out multiple regional development plans, including the Northern Metropolis and the Lantau artificial island project. While these initiatives differ in scale and location, they share a common goal: reimagine specific areas through strategic land use and industrial reconfiguration.

However, the success of such developments hinges not just on location but on clear, cohesive planning. Without a well-defined vision, these projects risk becoming little more than clusters of real estate ventures which are devoid of distinctive character. In particular, the Northern Metropolis leaves much to be desired here.

Touted as Hong Kong’s new growth engine, the Northern Metropolis is meant to complement the city’s industrial strategy. Yet, beyond the San Tin Technopole and the Lok Ma Chau Loop, the tech-driven vision for the area remains underdeveloped.