Hong Kong must plan for the population it wants to have

Dr Jane Lee, MH, JP, is president of Our Hong Kong Foundation and founding CEO of Hong Kong Policy Research Institute.What kind of population is Hong Kong planning for? That is the question the chief executive’s policy address must tackle as the Northern Metropolis begins to take shape.Much more than just another new town, the Northern Metropolis is Hong Kong’s most consequential project for its next phase of development, expected to house 2.5 million residents and provide 650,000 jobs. The numbers are well known, but they are not the story.This population of 2.5 million will be like no other. The Northern Metropolis’ deep integration with Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area means its residents will live, work, study and access services on both sides of the border. As Hong Kong’s population becomes increasingly dynamic and mobile, the Northern Metropolis should serve as the starting point for developing a citywide population strategy that aligns public policies with the realities of a cross-boundary lifestyle.