Ta Kwu Ling Priority Development Area Sees Expanded Campus, Delayed Rail Plans
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
The North District Council convened on November 10, 2026 to deliberate on the latest development proposals for the Ta Kwu Ling Priority Development Area. The government submission outlines plans to expand the priority development zone to approximately 250 hectares, with the Ta Kwu Ling University Town campus area nearly doubling from the original 40 hectares to 75 hectares. The detailed design and construction contracts are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2027, with the first batch of land expected to become available by 2030 and residents anticipated to relocate by 2035. Local district councilors have raised concerns regarding transportation connectivity, employment opportunities, and recurring flooding issues in the area.
Key Points
- The total Ta Kwu Ling New Development Area spans 1,175 hectares, to be developed in phases
- The priority development zone has been expanded to approximately 250 hectares, with the university campus area increased to 75 hectares, nearly double the original 40 hectares
- About 7 hectares of the university campus will be reserved for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts second campus
- District councilor Chan Yuet-ming (陳月明) flagged concerns that the Sha Ling data center consumes large amounts of electricity but creates few jobs, urging better planning for surrounding land
- Legislative Council member and DAB district councilor Yao Ming (姚銘) warned that road-based transport alone would be insufficient by 2035, calling for accelerated railway development
- Development Bureau official Liu Tze-kwan (廖子君) acknowledged that railway projects require substantial time and resources, noting current focus remains on the Northern Link's Kwu Tung and Hung Shui Kiu stations
- Councilor Hou Chi-keung (侯志強) highlighted longstanding flooding problems that residents hope the development will help resolve
Why It Matters
The Ta Kwu Ling development forms a cornerstone of the Northern Metropolis initiative, which aims to position Hong Kong as a regional innovation and education hub. The doubling of the university town campus and allocation of land for performing arts education signal the government's commitment to developing knowledge-based industries in the New Territories. However, the delay in railway infrastructure may undermine the viability of these ambitious plans, as reliable connectivity is essential for attracting students, faculty, and industry partners to what is currently a remote rural area .
The Ta Kwu Ling development forms a cornerstone of the Northern Metropolis initiative, which aims to position Hong Kong as a regional innovation and education hub. The doubling of the university town campus and allocation of land for performing arts education signal the government's commitment to developing knowledge-based industries in the New Territories. However, the delay in railway infrastructure may undermine the viability of these ambitious plans, as reliable connectivity is essential for attracting students, faculty, and industry partners to what is currently a remote rural area .