The Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen (HSK/HT) and Kwu Tung North/Fanling North (KTN/FLN) New Development Areas (NDAs) jointly serve to provide an ultimate housing supply of more than 150,000 housing units. The site formation and infrastructure works for the HSK/HT NDA and KTN/FLN NDA commenced in 2020 and 2024, with target for completion in 2030 and 2031 respectively. Considering HSK/HT and KTN/FLN NDAs being the strategic developments under the Northern Metropolis, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) pioneered the new project delivery model — Non-Contractual Alliance (NCA). Through proactive and effective project management, the NCA fosters close collaboration among consultants and contractors, aligning their efforts toward shared objectives and enhancing overall project delivery.

The NCA operates under an Alliance Pledge signed by all participating parties. Rooted in voluntary commitment rather than rigid contractual enforcement, overall project accountability is driven by mutual trust, shared purpose and peer expectations — a governance innovation where industry partners hold each other to higher collaborative and social standards.

Partnering accountability of NCA is embedded in a two-tier governance structure. The Alliance Champion Group, chaired by the Director of CEDD and comprising senior management from consultants and contractors, provides strategic oversight and
performance monitoring. In addition, the NCA has several executive arms (i.e. Task Forces) for implementation of various designated tasks, such as efficiency enhancement, joint procurement, innovation, safety and public relations.

Capitalising on the geographical proximity and synergies of the development areas, CEDD has established two NCAs under the Northern Metropolis Development, one for the HSK/HT NDA and the other for the KTN/FLN NDA. These NCAs have unlocked unprecedented operational efficiency. Key achievements include substantial commercial savings through joint procurement, accelerated material approval cycles, seamless cross-project sharing of resources, safety best practices and technical innovations. By enhancing supply chain transparency, eliminating systemic duplication and generating meaningful social value through active community engagement, the NCA model sets a new benchmark for public infrastructure delivery in Hong Kong.

The NDAs Alliances are committed to delivering land and infrastructure for the projects under the Northern Metropolis, thereby underpinning Hong Kong’s longterm growth and development. With digital integration and supply chain resilience on the horizon, the Alliances drive sustainable, future-focused urban development at scale.

Activities within the Northern Metropolis

This article is contributed by the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the HKSAR Government.

A new optical sensor platform based on metasurface chips enables ultrafast, maintenance-free detection of multiple hazardous gases and waterborne chemicals and bacteria, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods which are resourceintensive and inefficient.

For gas safety (hydrogen vehicles & infrastructure): The long wavelength vibrational sensor detects hydrogen leaks from <1,000 to >40,000 ppm with <1 second response and recovery times – more than 10x faster than commercial sensors – with
zero crosstalk. The platform also detects other gas including but not limited to oxygen, hydrogen sulphur, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous gases using the same chip design.

For water quality monitoring: The ellipsometric surface plasmon resonance (eSPR) sensor simultaneously detects multiple viruses and bacteria including COVID, Influenza, E. coli, and Legionella pneumophila (the causative agent of Legionnaires› disease), as well as toxic heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Hg) down to <1 μg/L. Results are obtained in under 20
minutes, compared to days required for laboratory PCR, cell culture, and ICP-MS methods. Both sensors are fabricated using low-cost lithography on 1 cm² chips. Automated prototypes are under development for field trials in vehicles, gas refuelling stations, and public water systems.

Gas detector - Fixed point cavity based (L) and Chip-scale, fibre to the home (R)

This article is contributed by Ir Jonah Wong from Nexgense Ltd.