Villages and wetlands sacrificed as Hong Kong builds vast Northern Metropolis tech hub

Hong Kong is building a massive Northern Metropolis tech hub, sacrificing villages and wetlands in the process. Nearly a third of the city, including many small communities, is being transformed into the ambitious development. 71-year-old Chan Yuk-tong, who has lived in his blue-brick house all his life, faces eviction to make way for the project.

The Northern Metropolis, touted as a new economic engine, aims to accommodate 2.5 million residents and create 650,000 jobs. However, environmental and social groups warn the development will have a significant negative impact on Hong Kong's wildlife, communities, and finances. The project, announced five years ago, will eventually cover 30,000 hectares, with at least 25 villages expected to be demolished.

The government hopes to integrate rural areas into the development, but many ancestral homes are not deemed culturally significant enough to preserve. The massive development is expected to cost at least HK$224 billion and generate a 13% contribution to Hong Kong's GDP. While the project promises international connections, university research, and deep capital markets, there is concern over how to balance integration with Hong Kong's unique identity.