Leading minds and experts from multiple disciplines exchanged insights and ideas about the development of the Northern Metropolis at the debut seminar of the Innovation and Technology Forum Series, hosted by the Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) on 26 August 2022.

Speaking on the theme of “Planning, Land and Housing for Innovation and Technology Development in Hong Kong”, Dr Winnie Tang, Founder and Honorary President of the Smart City Consortium; Mr Ling Kar-kan, Director of the PolyU Jockey Club Design Institute of Social Innovation (J.C.DISI); and Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Engineering, offered their insights into various aspects of policy in the development of the Northern Metropolis, ranging from promotion of smart city technology, planning and land usage, collaboration strategy with Shenzhen, to conservation of indigenous cultural heritage. 

“The Northern Metropolis has strong potential to support Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub featuring urban-rural integration and the co-existence of development and conservation. It is a mega project that deserves more discussion,” said Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU and Director of PReCIT.

A panel discussion moderated by Prof. Eric Chui, Co-Director of PReCIT and Head of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, and joined by Mr Simon Wong, Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities), further inspired thought-provoking dialogue among participants on current topics ranging from environmental protection to opportunities in the Greater Bay Area.

The PReCIT I&T Forum provides a premier platform for experts in the city to exchange views for the betterment of society. It also marked the debut of PReCIT, a university-level interdisciplinary policy research centre which was newly established in mid-2022. Its primary areas of research include carbon-neutral cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and Belt and Road Initiative development in Southeast Asia.

“The development of a vibrant innovation and technology industry is the key to fostering Hong Kong’s future success,” said Prof. Jing-Guang Teng, President of PolyU. 

“For Hong Kong to succeed in the innovation and technology arena, many policy questions need to be addressed, including policies for the integration of Hong Kong into the national innovation ecosystem, and the talent policies that support the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. With the establishment of PReCIT, PolyU aspires to make significant contributions to the formulation of innovation and technology policies in Hong Kong,” he added.