On 5 January 2026, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) reported the latest progress on the Global Innovation Centre (GIC) development to the Southern District Council (SDC) at its meeting.

HKU provided an update on the GIC project and its ongoing engagement with the community during the planning process. Since HKU’s report to the Town Planning Board in July 2025, HKU conducted multiple engagement meetings to exchange views, gauge the feedback and understand the expectations from stakeholders and residents of the Pok Fu Lam community. The latest conceptual plan is prepared to address the main concerns as much as practicable.

The latest proposal is the result of multiple rounds of technical studies and revisions. It represents HKU’s vision to not only build a world-class research facility, but also to uplift the neighbourhood together with district stakeholders. Leveraging on the mature R&D environment in Pok Fu Lam, the GIC will serve as a key platform for Hong Kong's interdisciplinary upstream and frontier research, and the new knowledge fountainhead to support more advanced technology application at the middle-/downstream. GIC will also serve as a new landmark in the Southern district where citizens can learn about science, research and innovation in a modern architecture with ample open space.

HKU has maintained an open attitude throughout the planning and design process and will continue to communicate with stakeholders on the development of the GIC.

• HKU has gathered comments from stakeholders through various consultation channels over the past few months and refined the development plan to address their feedback. The preliminary technical assessment findings have been submitted to the respective Government Departments for review.

• In light of the suggestion for HKU to, inter alia, consider alternative sites, the project team has engaged an independent management consultant to conduct a feasibility assessment of several alternative sites within the Pok Fu Lam area as proposed by stakeholders based on a set of objective assessment criteria, and concluded that the current proposed site best suits the development of the GIC. These factors include the extent of Green Belt zone usage, terrain feasibility, environmental impact, transportation, proximity to heritage buildings, etc. The study also concludes that site readiness, and proximity to a university campus and other research facilities are essential for the GIC to get a head start by seamlessly integrating with the existing research infrastructure.

• GIC's upstream deep technology vision leverages Pok Fu Lam's existing university campuses, hospital and research hubs for efficient resource sharing conducive to growth. This parallel development creates a complementary ecosystem where basic research supports technology transfer to mid-to-downstream applications focused in the Northern Metropolis. This can create a multi-engine approach for the holistic I&T development in Hong Kong where the GIC complements the future development of the Northern Metropolis.

2. Latest Proposed Development Overview (subject to further approval by government authorities)

• Reduced Development Parameters: In response to community suggestions and the independent consultant’s benchmark studies referencing global leading R&D centres, HKU has strategically reduced the GlC’s proposed development parameters while maintaining its future competitiveness. The overall site area and total GFA are reduced by close to 15% and the anticipated population will be reduced from 7,300 to 4,200 (i.e. a reduction of 42%). In particular, the Green Belt zone included in the revised site is 75% less than the previous planning proposal, and corresponds to less than 1% of the total Green Belt zone in the Pok Fu Lam Outline Zoning Plan.

• Benefits to Local Community: The GIC will deliver tangible benefits to the Southern district as a whole, including a provision of no less than 10,000 sq.m. of open space for public enjoyment, STEM education opportunities, allowing public use of the conference facilities, etc. Landscaped walkways will also connect neighbouring developments, enabling better pedestrian access between Pok Fu Lam Road, Sassoon Road and Victoria Road via the GIC.

• Design in Harmony with Nature and Neighbourhood: The GIC will be designed to harmonise with neighbouring properties in terms of building heights and maintain visual corridors from Pok Fu Lam Road and facilitate air ventilation. Boundary-to-boundary distance and building setback will be provided to maintain a buffer from the neighbouring properties, such as Ebenezer School, Baguio Villa and Woodbury Court. The buildings will also be set back from Pok Fu Lam Road with a boulevard of trees to enhance the pedestrian walking experience and air ventilation.

• Addressing Concerns on Traffic Flow: In response to the concerns of some residents, the spiral drum ramp is removed from the scheme design to prevent vehicles from Pok Fu Lam Road accessing Victoria Road via the GIC. Vehicular access are planned to connect Pok Fu Lam Road, and connecting with Sassoon Road through the adjacent HKU Medical development whereas only a lay-by will be maintained at Victoria Road for servicing use.

3. Technical Assessment – Preliminary Findings (Excerpt)

• The project team has commissioned professional consultants to conduct a series of technical feasibility assessments, including traffic impact, visual impact, ecological impact, air ventilation and geotechnical, etc. The preliminary findings from these assessments have been submitted to the relevant government departments for review. Key highlights from several technical assessments were presented during the SDC meeting, including Traffic Impact Assessment and studies related to geotechnical investigation, ecological survey and air ventilation assessment.

• Considering the concerns on the traffic impact to the community during and after the construction period, the Traffic Impact Assessment has evaluated the surrounding road network of the GIC site holistically, covering the area from Wah Fu Estate to Kennedy Town, taking into account all 14 known developments therein until 2046. We will also keep a close eye on the latest development of the South Island Line (West) and will continue to liaise with the MTRC to facilitate its study and planning.

4. Way Forward

• HKU appreciates the comments from community members and will continue to collect their feedback through a series of community engagement activities while proceeding with the statutory planning process. HKU would also like to thank the ongoing support from SDC and all stakeholders as we advance the GIC project for Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub. In addition to community engagement activities, HKU will continue to disseminate details about the GIC to community stakeholders to keep them informed of the latest development.