SDEV visits Luohu District and Pingshan District in Shenzhen to inspect development of local districts (with photos)

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     The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, today (March 28) visited Luohu District and Pingshan District in Shenzhen to learn about Shenzhen’s experience in the development of local districts, in particular the development mode and experience in attracting industries, for reference of the Northern Metropolis development.
     
     Ms Linn attended experience sharing sessions by the Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Governments of Luohu District and Pingshan District on the development of Sungang and Qingshuihe sub-districts in Luohu District, as well as Pingshan District and Baguang sub-district of Dapeng New District. The discussion topics included the planning and development process, and selection of developer, etc. She also visited some of the districts.
     
     The development direction of Sungang sub-district in Luohu District focuses on modern commercial business while the neighbouring Qingshuihe sub-district, planned as a “Headquarters Economic Cluster of Digital Economy”, is a base for the artificial intelligence industry. The Life and Health Technology Park and Biomedical Accelerator area in the Pingshan District are the platforms for strategic industries such as biomedicine and medical equipment. As for Baguang sub-district of Dapeng New District, it focuses on emerging industries such as marine industry, and life and health, etc.
     
     Ms Linn said that being innovative in policy making is necessary for delivering the vision of the Northern Metropolis. For the previous mode of development, the Government would carry out site formation works, followed by sale of individual sites by public tender. Roads and community facilities were also constructed by the Government in general. The Government will proactively explore the mode of “development of local districts”, to select sizable land parcels with commercial returns and community facilities in some New Development Areas in the Northern Metropolis, for the developer being the successful bidder of the project to develop and construct the project collectively. This mode of development can alleviate the financial burden of the Government in the initial stage, facilitate a more coordinated design for the development of local districts, and expedite the provision of public facilities by leveraging market forces.
 
     The Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office of the Development Bureau, Mr Vic Yau, also joined the visit.
     
     The delegation returned to Hong Kong this afternoon.