Can the Northern Metropolis balance progress with quality of life?

Slowly but surely, Hong Kong is undergoing various scales of transformation. From the mixed-use development around Kai Tak to the revamped waterfronts on both sides of Victoria Harbour, the new railway extensions to the vehicular bypass tunnels below our busy streets, the adaptive reuse of underutilised spaces and the infusion of art and culture into local neighbourhoods, our city is evolving and adapting.Consider the East Coast Boardwalk as an example. The space under the Island Eastern Corridor has become a pedestrian harbourfront link between Fortress Hill and Quarry Bay, which runners, cyclists and people from all walks of life can enjoy. Creating a new, welcoming public space from nothing is what “human-centric” design is all about, though it’s difficult to find such opportunities in a well-developed city.Sometimes, transformations happen on a micro scale and in niche neighbourhoods, but they are not insignificant. Collectively, these incremental improvements bring overall positive impact and growth.