Organised by China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited, 'Building with Imaginations, Envisioning the Future' Young Professional Design Award ("the Design Award") is now open for registration. To provide the participants a better understanding of the theme and judging criteria of the Design Award, a Sharing Seminar was held yesterday (19 September). The representatives of the jury panel and industry professionals were invited as guest speakers to share the latest planning, future potentials and challenges for the Northern Metropolis.

The Sharing Seminar, conducting in a hybrid mode of either joining online or in person,  provided participants who are interested in The Design Award with ideas and inspirations. Following guests have been invited to the Sharing Seminar:

• Mr. Cheuk-hang YAU, Vic, JP, Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office
• Mr. Ying CHANG, Jack, Vice President, China Resources Land Limited; Chairman, China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited
• Hon. Kwok-fan LAU, MH, JP, Chief Strategy Advisor, China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited; LegCo Member; Chairman, Subcommittee on Matters Relating to the Development of the Northern Metropolis
• Ar. Siu-fan WAI, Johnson, Deputy Managing Director of China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited
• Dr. Peter COOKSON SMITH, Past President, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners; Past President, The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design
• Prof. Hendrik TIEBEN, School Director, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Prof. Chris WEBSTER, Dean, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
• Ar. Chui-yi CHAN, Corrin, Chair, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Healthy City Initiatives; Council Member, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects

Mr. Cheuk-hang YAU, Vic, JP mentioned that the Northern Metropolis will become an all-round sustainable community with comprehensive facilities for the community, culture and recreation, leisure, education and entertainment that is livable and business-friendly.

Dr. Peter COOKSON SMITH said a Smart City has the characteristics of smart governance, smart people, smart living, smart mobility, smart economy and smart environment; and the development of the Northern Metropolis needs to be planned according to a Smart City standards.

Hon. Kwok-fan LAU, MH, JP stated that the Northern Metropolis area will have a 40% growth of residential units in the next decade which supports the development of diversified industries and increases employment opportunities significantly. The Northern Metropolis is expected to be well-developed over the next two decades.

Prof. Hendrik TIEBEN pointed out that it is vital to take into account of Hong Kong's current key issues while planning the development for the Northern Metropolis, and provides solutions such as promoting low or zero carbon mobility, improving aging population, increasing housing supply and rising expectations for quality of life.

Prof. Chris WEBSTER suggested that apart from focusing on local development, participants also need to consider how to connect different urban areas to enable more potentials and dynamics in the future of Hong Kong's northern land development.

Ar. Chui-yi CHAN, Corrin advised the participants to consider various factors including history, culture, ecology, climate and conservation when planning the development of the Northern Metropolis to ensure its sustainable development.

The Design Award consists of two categories, Professional Group and Elite Group. For Professional Group, the design team shall consist of member(s) from at least one professional institute (HKIA, HKILA, HKIP and HKIUD). The number of design team members is not limited and individual entry is accepted. The first prize includes a cash cheque and a sponsored 5-day study trip in Greater Bay Area of total value of HKD220,000.

For Elite Group, the design team shall consist of member(s) who is/are a full-time, part-time student(s) or a graduate of the universities or post-secondary colleges in Hong Kong. The number of design team members is not limited and individual entry is accepted. The first prize will be a cash cheque of value HKD30,000. The Design Award does not only serve as a platform in collecting young people's vision and ideas on the future of Hong Kong and the urban planning and design of the Northern Metropolis, it also invites young talents in Hong Kong to get involved in the overall development of the Greater Bay Area and the motherland.

Qualified professionals, graduates and students of the universities or post-secondary colleges who are aged 18 or above and 45 or below are welcomed to join the Design Award and no enrollment fee is required. The registration opens now and the deadline for registration is 6 October 2023. For more details, please visit www.crlypda.hk.

About China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited

China Resources Land Limited (01109.HK) is a strategic business unit under China Resources Group, for city construction and operation. Listed in Hong Kong in November 1996, CR Land has been selected as a constituent stock in The Hang Seng Index since March 2010. CR Land is a leading urban investment and development company guided by its strategic positioning as "A City Investor, Developer and Operator". It has established an integrated "3+1" business development model that features three mainstream businesses – property development, property investment, and light asset management – and the ecosystem elementary business.

Steering with the visions of China Resources Group and its strong foothold in Hong Kong, CR Land has established China Resources Land (Overseas) Limited for a pivotal role in strategically acquiring suitable land resources for planned developments that will enhance neighbourhoods and communities in Hong Kong.