Why Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s Lantau land reclamation plan is so controversial

South China Morning Post

19 Oct 201802:38

Summary

TLDRHong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has proposed a 1700-hectare reclamation project called Lantau Tomorrow Vision to increase land supply, aiming to provide up to 400,000 flats, mostly affordable public housing. The project, estimated to cost 500 billion Hong Kong dollars, is expected to accommodate 1.1 million people and create 340,000 jobs over the next 20-30 years. Despite public backlash and environmental concerns, Lam remains committed to the initiative.

Takeaways

🏙️ Home ownership in Hong Kong is extremely challenging due to high costs.
💼 Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, has proposed a large-scale reclamation project.
🌊 The project, known as Lantau Tomorrow Vision, aims to reclaim 1700 hectares east of Hong Kong island.
🏡 It plans to provide up to 400,000 flats, with 70% designated as affordable public housing.
👥 The project could accommodate 1.1 million people and create 340,000 jobs over the next 20-30 years.
✈️ The reclaimed land would be strategically located near the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.
💵 The government estimates the project will cost 500 billion Hong Kong dollars, approximately half of the city's fiscal reserves.
🤔 There is public backlash against the project, with critics arguing it is too expensive.
🌱 Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, oppose the plan due to potential irreversible damage to marine life and the natural environment.
🏕️ Alternatives such as developing brownfield sites in Hong Kong's new territories have been suggested, which could have less environmental impact.
🚀 Despite criticism, Carrie Lam remains determined to proceed with the reclamation project.

Q & A

How long would it take an average Hong Konger to pay for a flat with their entire salary?
-An average Hong Konger would have to hand over their entire salary for 20 years to pay for a flat.
What is the name of the initiative proposed by Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to increase land supply?
-The initiative proposed is a 1700 hectare reclamation project east of Hong Kong's biggest island, named Lantau.
How many flats could the reclaimed area potentially provide?
-The reclaimed area could provide up to 400,000 flats.
What percentage of the flats would be designated as affordable public housing?
-70% of the flats would be affordable public housing.
How many people could the reclaimed land potentially accommodate?
-The reclaimed land could accommodate up to 1.1 million people.
How many jobs is the project expected to create in the next 20 to 30 years?
-The project is expected to create 340,000 jobs in the next 20 to 30 years.
Where would the reclaimed land be located in relation to the Hong Kong International Airport?
-The reclaimed land would neighbor the Hong Kong International Airport.
What is the estimated cost of the reclamation project?
-The government estimates the project will cost five hundred billion Hong Kong dollars or 64 billion U.S. dollars.
What percentage of the city's fiscal reserves does the project cost represent?
-The project cost is about half of the city's fiscal reserves.
What are the main criticisms against the reclamation project?
-The main criticisms are that the reclamation project is too expensive and that it will cause irreversible damage to the marine and natural environment.
What alternatives for land supply have been suggested instead of reclamation?
-The alternatives suggested include developing brownfield sites in Hong Kong's new territories, which are currently used as port backup lands or recycling yards.
How does Carrie Lam respond to the criticism that the project is too expensive?
-Carrie Lam refutes the criticism by stating that it's important to avoid doing things just because they are expensive.

Outlines

00:00

🏙️ Hong Kong's Housing Crisis and Land Reclamation Plan

Hong Kong faces a severe housing crisis, with the average citizen needing to dedicate 20 years of their entire salary to afford a flat. In response, Chief Executive Carrie Lam proposed a land reclamation project in her 2018 policy address. The project, named Lantau Tomorrow Vision, aims to reclaim 1700 hectares east of Lantau Island to provide up to 400,000 flats, with 70% designated as affordable public housing. This initiative could accommodate 1.1 million people, create 340,000 jobs, and is strategically positioned near the Hong Kong International Airport and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to interact with the Greater Bay Area cities. The estimated cost is a staggering 500 billion Hong Kong dollars, which is about half of the city's fiscal reserves.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Home Ownership

Home ownership refers to the state of owning a residence. In the context of the video, it is portrayed as a challenging dream for many in Hong Kong due to high property prices, which require an average person to dedicate their entire salary for 20 years to afford a flat.

💡Hong Kong Chief Executive

The Hong Kong Chief Executive is the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In the video, Carrie Lam, the current Chief Executive, is mentioned as the proposer of a significant land reclamation plan aimed at increasing land supply for housing.

💡Land Supply

Land supply refers to the availability of land for development. The video discusses how the Hong Kong government, under Carrie Lam, is addressing the issue of limited land supply by proposing a large-scale reclamation project to create new land for housing.

💡Reclamation Project

A reclamation project involves creating new land from oceans, riverbeds, or lake beds. The video highlights a 1700-hectare reclamation project east of Hong Kong Island, which is intended to provide up to 400,000 flats, with the majority being affordable public housing.

💡Lantau

Lantau is Hong Kong's largest island and is strategically located. The video mentions that the reclamation project would be adjacent to Lantau, which is poised to interact with the Greater Bay Area cities, indicating its importance in regional development.

💡Hong Kong International Airport

The Hong Kong International Airport is a major transportation hub. The video notes that the reclaimed land would neighbor the airport, suggesting that the project is not only about housing but also about enhancing connectivity and economic activity.

💡Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge

The Hong Kong Zhuhai Macau Bridge is a significant infrastructure project linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai, and Macau. The video implies that the reclamation project's proximity to the bridge could further integrate the region and boost economic development.

💡Public Housing

Public housing refers to government-subsidized housing made available to low-income residents. The video states that 70% of the flats in the reclaimed area would be designated as public housing, underscoring the government's effort to make housing more accessible.

💡Fiscal Reserves

Fiscal reserves are funds set aside by a government to cover expenses or financial emergencies. The video mentions that the reclamation project would cost about half of Hong Kong's fiscal reserves, indicating the significant financial commitment required for the initiative.

💡Public Backlash

Public backlash refers to strong disapproval or opposition from the public. The video discusses how the reclamation project has faced criticism due to its high cost and potential environmental impact, reflecting the tension between development and public sentiment.

💡Environmental Groups

Environmental groups are organizations that advocate for the protection of the environment. The video mentions opposition from groups like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund, which argue that the reclamation project could cause irreversible damage to the marine and natural environment.

💡Brownfield Sites

Brownfield sites are previously developed land that is not in use. The video suggests that there are alternatives to reclamation, such as developing brownfield sites, which are currently used for port backup lands or recycling yards and could have less environmental impact.

Highlights

Owning a home in Hong Kong is extremely difficult due to high prices.

Average Hong Konger must dedicate 20 years of salary to afford a flat.

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam proposes a plan to increase land supply.

A 1700-hectare reclamation project called 'Lantau Tomorrow Vision' is introduced.

The project could provide up to 400,000 flats, with 70% being affordable public housing.

The reclaimed land would accommodate up to 1.1 million people.

The project is expected to create 340,000 jobs over the next 20 to 30 years.

The reclaimed land would be located near the Hong Kong International Airport.

Lantau is strategically positioned to interact with the Greater Bay Area cities.

The government estimates the project will cost 500 billion Hong Kong dollars.

The cost is about half of Hong Kong's fiscal reserves.

The initiative faces public backlash due to its high cost.

Carrie Lam refutes the criticism, stating that cost should not be a deterrent.

Carrie Lam is accused of ignoring public opinion on the reclamation project.

At least nine environmental groups, including Greenpeace, oppose the plan.

Critics argue the project will cause irreversible damage to the marine environment.

Alternatives for land supply, such as brownfield sites, are suggested.

Carrie Lam remains determined to proceed with the project despite criticism.

The Chief Executive is confident that any problem can be solved.