PolyU J.C.DISI hosts “Northern Metropolis Future Forum Season 2”, advocating for the “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework”
Through its “PolyU Northern Metropolis Future Forum” series, The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is advocating for a comprehensive five-pathway “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework”.
Season 2 of the Forum was hosted today with the theme “Where Conservation Meets Prosperity in the Northern Metropolis,” focusing on practical pathways of “Ecological Empowerment” and “Experience Empowerment.” It brought together experts from the Government, academia, industry and local charitable/non-profit organisations to explore how to transform the traditionally perceived dichotomy between conservation and development into a mutually beneficial economic model.
Formulating a “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework”
In his welcoming remarks, Prof. LING Kar-kan, PolyU Interim Vice President (Campus and Facilities) and Director of J.C.DISI, emphasised that the Institute serves as a convergence point for knowledge and practice, and advocates for the “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework,” aiming to collaborate with all sectors of society to build a “Beautiful Northern Metropolis.” Through a lens of social innovation, it seeks to advance a vision for the Northern Metropolis that is “people-centred, nature-inspired and harmoniously prosperous”, creating economic value rooted in conservation.
Prof. Ling stated, “J.C.DISI hosted the Forum with the aim of creating a cross-sectoral exchange platform. We will continue to gather insights from all stakeholders, draft policy recommendations for submission to relevant departments and actively seek funding to launch pilot projects under the ‘Northern Metropolis SoInno for Good Initiative’. This is not a short-term project; rather, it is a concrete strategic action that implements the latest six-year PolyU Strategic Plan, which aims to propel innovation and impact through sustainable partnerships with the wider community.”
Prof. Ling also introduced the concept of the regenerative economy, noting, “This goes beyond merely being an advanced version of sustainable development, also signifying a fundamental revolution in the economic paradigm that redefines the relationship between humans and nature. The development of the Northern Metropolis represents a historic opportunity for Hong Kong to become a global benchmark for regenerative economies. We must move away from outdated notions that oppose development and conservation, and instead foster a new era of economic prosperity grounded in shared value.”
Thematic Session 1: Ecological Empowerment – Transforming Fisheries and Agriculture into Multifunctional Industrial Ecosystems
Thematic Session 1 featured Mr Patrick LAI, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. James FANG Kar-hei, Associate Professor of the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition; Ms Nicole WONG, Chief Executive Officer of World Wide Fund-Hong Kong; and Mr Jackie LING, Founder and President of the Association of Hong Kong Agricultural Development and Construction. This session explored how to transform the fisheries and agriculture of the Northern Metropolis from single-purpose production into multifaceted industrial ecosystems that encompass ecological, landscape, educational and tourism values.
Mr Patrick Lai outlined the policy vision of the “Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries.” He emphasised, “Through the pilot projects, including the Long Valley Nature Park and Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, the Government will deepen partnerships with stakeholders to explore the integration of conservation efforts, and agricultural and fishery activities into new economic frameworks.”
Prof. James Fang outlined the development directions of PolyU’s existing marine aquaculture and ecological conservation research, demonstrating how it supports the Government’s policy objectives in advancing modern aquaculture. “Our research team is committed to exploring the relationship between sustainable aquaculture technologies and ecosystem balance. We aim to develop aquaculture models that simultaneously enhance production, improve water quality and support marine biodiversity.”
Ms Nicole WONG articulated her view that the true value of wetland ecosystems far surpasses traditional perceptions. They serve not only as natural carbon sinks, flood regulators, biodiversity reservoirs and water purification systems, but should also be viewed as an integrated whole. Through “Nature-based Solutions”, natural capital can be transformed into sustainable momentum for community development. The development of the Northern Metropolis presents an ideal opportunity to establish a new partnership that embodies the principle of “conservation and development as a win-win”, enabling wetland conservation and local innovation to be mutually reinforcing.
Mr Jackie Ling shared a vision for transforming the currently abandoned fishponds in the Northern Metropolis into assets with ecological and commercial value. “We can engage businesses to empower fish farmers, creating a streamlined model from production to sales that stabilises demand for fisheries. This approach can generate diverse value from the fishponds, developing ecological tours and attracting tourists with guesthouses and restaurants. Once the fishponds generate commercial value, they can create job opportunities and promote talent training.”
Thematic Session 2: The Experience Economy – Redefining Tourism and Nature Interaction Models
Thematic Session 2 featured Prof. Stephen TANG, Head of the Countryside Conservation Office of the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR; Prof. Haiyan SONG, Associate Dean of the PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Director of the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism; Ms Josephine WOO, Head of the Holistic Education Department of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden; Mr Scott LIM, NbS Project Manager of The Nature Conservancy; and Mr Paul CHAN, Chairman of the Hong Kong Community Heritage Foundation. This session examined how to move beyond “zero-impact” sustainable tourism by rebuilding ecosystems and revitalising cultural heritage through enriching travel experiences.
Prof. Stephen Tang shared the Government’s initiatives for promoting rural revitalisation and ecological conservation in remote areas. He highlighted collaborations within the Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle with various universities and stakeholders, including a partnership with the PolyU School of Design on the Kuk Po project, as well as other initiatives such as the Lai Chi Wo and Mui Tsz Lam projects. “Through a tripartite collaboration model involving the Government, the community and villagers, we have launched joint projects that resonate with the harmonious coexistence of rural culture and nature.”
Prof. Haiyan Song responded to the “Tourism is Everywhere” policy outlined in the Policy Address, discussing how technology can be harnessed to drive regenerative tourism and create a sustainable future for the Northern Metropolis. He emphasised, “Regenerative tourism is not simply about sightseeing, it involves leveraging the natural and cultural resources of the Northern Metropolis to craft unique travel experiences. This approach allows visitors to engage in ecological restoration and cultural heritage preservation processes while generating sustainable income for the local community.”
During the case discussion, Ms Josephine Woo shared an innovative experience centred on environmental education and ecological research, “By recognising the importance of habitat diversity and biodiversity conservation, we can sustainably operate various tourism and educational experiences using environmentally friendly methods. For example, our thoughtfully designed activities in regenerative agriculture, deep ecology, art and transformative experiences are all aimed at recovering operational costs, enabling the public to engage in conservation and research in diverse ways.”
Mr Scott Lim shared valuable insights from the Pak Nai wetland restoration project, illustrating how nature-based solutions can effectively address climate change, protect biodiversity and create economic opportunities. He emphasised, “Nature is not only something to be preserved, it is also a vital partner in tackling environmental and social challenges.”
Mr Paul Chan shared insights from the perspective of deep cultural tourism on how to transform abundant blue-green Northern Metropolis resources and cultural heritage into unique experiential assets. He remarked, “Culture is not a static relic; it is a living tradition.” Through the concept of “Tourism Innovation Studio,” he designed the “Do Good Tour” project to revitalise traditional villages, farmlands and historical sites, thereby fostering sustainable development and providing economic benefits for the community.
In her closing remarks, Ms Sam LAM, Deputy Director of J.C.DISI, provided an update on the progress of the seven Northern Metropolis SoInno Actions since the “PolyU Northern Metropolis Future Forum Season 1” in early July. She also announced that Forum Season 3, focusing on “Community Empowerment,” would be hosted early next year.
The first three seasons of the “PolyU Northern Metropolis Future Forum” aim to establish the “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework” through five empowerment pathways: digital, cultural, ecological, experiential and community. J.C. DISI will continue to harness this framework to unite diverse stakeholders from the Government, industry, academia, research, investment, civil society, culture, youth, science, environment and media, transforming social innovation ideas into concrete pilot projects. The Forum will address topics such as community co-creation, the low-altitude economy, creative tourism in the Northern Metropolis, youth and diverse talent development, intergenerational inclusion and child-friendly cities, leveraging the power of social innovation to create a vibrant and beautiful Northern Metropolis.
The five-pathway “Beautiful Northern Metropolis SoInno Action Framework”
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