Leveraging Developable Land and Local Talents for a Sustainable City

Prior to the delivery of the 2023 Policy Address, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) had submitted proposals on key areas of Hong Kong’s strategic development blueprint—which included land supply; talent acquisition; and sustainable city—to the Chief Executive. A press conference was held on 27 October 2023 by HKIE in response to the issued address.

Read: Policy Address Proposals from HKIE Focus on Manpower and Housing Needs

The institution’s recommendation to streamline the statutory and administrative procedures in development process has been adopted, as the completion of straight-forward title-checking cases within 12 weeks to expedite disbursement of land resumption compensation; and relaxing of the gross floor area (GFA) exemption for above-ground car parks, will be introduced.

The Administration’s plans to develop the approximately 20 hectares of land at the ex-Lamma Quarry site; redevelop Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po; revitalise the vicinity of Hung Hom Station; and commence the detailed design work of the South Lantau eco-tourism projects are welcomed by HKIE.

Read: Optimising Upskilling and Digitalisation to Advance the Construction Sector

While the institution is in favour of the continuous, intensified allocation of resources towards talent acquisition, it is hoped that the Government will support the training of local engineering graduates, specifically by increasing the subsidies to companies running the Scheme “A” Training from HKD5,610 to HKD10,000 or above; and the subsidy quota from 272 to 1,000.

The steps outlined to amend the Buildings Energy Efficiency Ordinance, which will extend the scope of regulation to more building types, are also welcomed.

The formulation of the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong in the first half of 2024 is in line with HKIE’s submitted proposal for electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles as substitutes for petroleum vehicles. The annual address has mentioned that tests will be continuously conducted for more new energy vehicles—covering electric public light buses; electric heavy goods vehicles; electric coaches; hydrogen double-deck buses; and hydrogen street-washing vehicles—between the end of this year and next year.

Following extreme weather incidents, the Chief Executive has called for the taking forward of the HKD8 billion drainage improvement works projects, covering areas such as Wong Tai Sin and Hong Kong Island East. To this end, the institution hopes that more professionals, including engineers, will be engaged in the formulation of climate strategies, while reiterating that energy or carbon audits should continue to be conducted in New Development Areas projects as indicators for carbon emission control. —Construction+ Online

Sources: The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address