The Northern Metropolis is Hong Kong Government’s largest and most ambitious infrastructure and development project, a project we have covered since 2022.  This project is, among other things, providing a huge expansion to Hong Kong’s established built asset area, promoting a high volume of new jobs, in particular in the Innovation and Technology space and designed to accommodate an additional 2,500,000 residents over the next 15 to 20 years.  Our previous articles describe what the project plans to achieve and new rail projects connecting it.

Northern Metropolis Progress Update

Northern Metropolis, a project encompassing 30,000 hectares (42,000 football pitches), spans the Yuen Long District and North District, and is evolving rapidly with significant milestones being reached.

Location Map of Northern Metropolis: San Tin Technopole framed [CEDD]

It includes six New Development Areas (NDAs):  Kwu Tung North, Fanling North, Hung Shui Kiu, Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long South, and San Tin Technopole, in addition to other areas like the New Territories North New Town and Ngau Tam Mei.  These areas will feature some or all of the following: mixed use commercial buildings, hospitality, retail and residential buildings, innovation and technology hubs, advanced logistics hubs, government buildings, the Sandy Ridge Data Facility Cluster, new rail lines, rail line extensions, new roads, ecological zones and nature parks.

Compliance with legislation is being fast-tracked, which has included the Northern Metropolis Development Bill being gazetted on 3 July 2026 and submitted to the Legislative Council.  This in turn will streamline the planning process, expedite land resumption payments and speed up construction whilst running concurrently with compliance with environmental controls.

Physical Works Projects awarded to date comprise:

New Development Areas, site formation and infrastructure

• San Tin Technopole, which includes the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology (I&T) park and site formation works for Phase 1. The government has now established the San Tin Technopole Company Limited to spearhead the 210-hectare Innovation and Technology (I&T) zone.
• Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen (HSK/HT), Advance and Stage 1 site works are underway to position the area as a modern logistics and professional services hub.
• Kwu Tung North / Fanling North, Phase 1 and the remaining phase infrastructure, as well as joint-user government buildings, are in progress.
• Yuen Long South & The Loop, Stage 1, Stage 2, and subsequent phase site formations and engineering designs are actively underway.

Transport Infrastructure & Railways

Key Transport Infrastructure Projects [Credited to Development Bureau]

• Northern Link (NOL) comprises a 10.7km long line between Kam Sheung Road Station and the new Kwu Tung Station. Kwu Tung station is currently under construction whilst the enabling works for the NOL are currently being tendered.
• The NOL Spur Line, the government gazetted the railway scheme for the Hong Kong section of the NOL Spur Line, featuring new stations at Chau Tau, the Loop, and Huanggang Port. The spur line will be constructed in parallel with the NOL.
• Hung Shui Kiu Station, this new, elevated MTR station is being built on the Tuen Ma Line between Tin Shui Wai and Siu Hong stations to support the Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen New Development Area.  Construction started late 2024 with a target completion for 2030.  Modular Integrated Construction MiC is being utilised to minimise disruption on the live rail link and reduce the construction period.
• Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu-Qianhai) and the Smart and Green Mass Transit System (SGMTS) will, at a later stage link to the Hung Shui Kiu Station.  These later links are currently planned for commissioning around 2035.
• Northern Metropolis Highway, a 24 km east-west corridor to link development nodes from Tin Shui Wai to the New Territories North New Town. The detailed design and construction consultancy for the San Tin section has recently been awarded to an AECOM / AtkinsRealis Joint Venture.
• Fanling Bypass (Eastern Section), commissioned in May 2026, it is the first major transport infrastructure completed under the Northern Metropolis framework.

Conservation & Ecological Works

• Long Valley Nature Park, integrating wetland conservation, farming, and education as ecological mitigation.
• Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park & Robin’s Nest Country Park, early-stage engineering and planning designs are ongoing for these core green spaces in the biodiversity zone.
• Coastal Protection Park, a proposed park at Tsim Bei Tsui and Pak Nai is currently undergoing planning and feasibility studies.

Planning & Feasibility Studies

• Active physical and spatial feasibility studies are being executed for New Territories North New Town, Ngau Tam Mei, Lau Fau Shan (digital technology hub), and Ma Tso Lung.

San Tin Technopole

Located at the heart of Northern Metropolis and in close proximity to Shenzhen’s I&T zone in Huanggang and Futian.  San Tin Technopole is strategically positioned to be a hub for clustered I&T development that creates synergy with Shenzhen I&T Zone.  It will contribute to the development of the South-North dual engine, financing I&T, and become a new community for quality, healthy, green living, and at 626 hectares it represents a core project.

A Plan of the Proposed Developments at San Tin Technopole [Credited to CEDD]

Site formation and infrastructural works formally commenced in late 2024.  Phase one will feature “INNOPOLE,” an advanced manufacturing and testing campus operated by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP).

On 3 March 2026, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), together with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, organised the Hong Kong Nature‑based Solutions Design Guidelines Promulgation Ceremony to promote the Guidelines to the industry and stakeholders.

During June 2026, the HKSAR Government established the San Tin Technopole Company Limited (STTCL), to manage the development.  It is backed by a HK$10 billion capital injection.

On 29 June 2026, the Highways Department signed a contract with a Gammon Construction – Build King – Tung Lee Joint Venture for the widening of the Yuen Long Highway between Lam Tei Quarry and Tong Yan San Tsuen Interchange from a dual three-lane carriageway to a dual four-lane carriageway.

San Tin Technopole, Retail and Recreation Areas [Credited to CEDD]

 San Tin Technopole, Innovation and Technology Hub [Credited to CEDD]

Contract Dispute Consultants (CDCHK)

CDCHK are a leading claims and contractual consultancy with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore providing support to contractors and specialist contractors working on complex infrastructure and building projects worldwide. Recent assignments have included acting for contractors on rail projects in Canada and Hong Kong, cable stayed bridges in the United States, Canada and Hong Kong, power projects in the UK and Germany and airport projects.

CDC is currently providing programme tender support to contractors working on the planning and construction phase of the Northern Metropolis.