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

Summary

Hong 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.