Focus turns to mega project transport, student housing

Legislators have moved to debating motions focusing on expediting the Northern Metropolis development laid out in the city’s first five-year plan and the Policy Address as they entered the second day of the three-day debate on the two blueprints on Thursday. Dennis Leung of the Federation of Trade Unions said officials could consider allowing more companies to participate in the mega project's railway infrastructure development through public-private partnership, noting that only having the MTR be responsible would not be conducive to enhancing speed and efficiency. He also highlighted the need for sufficient transport support. “The number of parking spots as well as the density of public transport interchanges should be significantly increased at new development areas so as to ensure convenient travel for residents and prevent the areas from becoming a transit desert," Leung said, Augustine Wong from the real estate and construction sector hailed the government’s move to increase the proportion of subsidised flats that are at least 45 square metres from the current 20 percent to 25 percent for projects completed from 2031-2032 at the Northern Metropolis. He said authorities should also take into account the per-capita living space when allocating housing. “Because even if the floor area of a flat is increased, if...