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1. Why is Pokfulam chosen as the location for the GIC? What are the benefits of establishing a deep technology research facility near the university campus?
In the 2021 Policy Address, the HKSAR government proposed reserving a site in Pokfulam for the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to build a deep technology research facility, to consolidate Hong Kong's leading position in basic research.The GIC aims to bring together leading research teams around the globe to seek breakthroughs in emerging and frontier fields via interdisciplinary collaborations. The proximity of GIC to the HKU campus, Medical Campus, and Cyberport allows for convenient connections among researchers, tech startups, scholars and students, capitalizing on the clustering and synergistic effects of talents, thereby promoting closer collaboration among research, academic and industry sectors.
Silicon Valley in the United States is a prime example of close collaboration between research, academic and industry sectors. Its success as a leading high-tech hub is largely attributed to the talent and research of Stanford University. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford University has nurtured high-quality talent and achieved groundbreaking research results, which attracts high-tech companies to establish business in Silicon Valley and creates a thriving I&T ecosystem.
Internationally renowned and successful research centres that focus on upstream research are often close to universities geographically to maximise synergistic benefits. Exemplary cases include the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Charles Perkins Centre at the University of Sydney which focuses on medical research.
In the long run, the GIC aims to serve as a starting point for connecting professional research teams from higher education institutions and industries, as well as encouraging closer collaboration and communication, to transform Pokfulam into a hub for gathering innovative talent and creating a Silicon Valley-like research ecosystem for the entire Southeast Asia.
2. Will the construction of GIC bring significant environmental and ecological impact?
HKU commissioned a consultant to conduct ecological impact assessments in 2022 and 2023. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department reviewed the report and expressed no objection to the development plan in principle.Several measures have been proposed to mitigate the ecological impacts of the development, including preservation of the existing watercourses and their surrounding spaces, planting compensatory trees of native and exotic species, as well as introducing suitable tree species.
The proposed development will adopt a terraced building design with an optimised layout that blends in with the surrounding environment, and maintain visual permeability and air ventilation. The design will also incorporate various green elements, such as rooftop greenery, lawns, and vertical greening.
3. How many researchers can the GIC accommodate? Will the major roads in the area be able to absorb the traffic load in the future?
The GIC will be constructed and completed in phases. The GIC is currently designed to accommodate around 1,500 top research teams locally and globally after full operation.HKU has commissioned a professional consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the traffic impact of the proposed development. During the survey period in mid-to-late 2022, all Government Department services and face-to-face school classes have resumed to normal. The traffic flow figures were verified in September 2023 and found comparable with the previous assessment. The Traffic Impact Assessment has factored in the proposed development projects in the area and the resultant population growth in the next few years.
The assessment findings indicated no significant impact on the local road network arising from the proposed development. To mitigate potential traffic impacts, pedestrian crossing facilities enhancement works at the junction of Victoria Road/Sandy Bay Road have been put forward. Ongoing evaluations will also be conducted during the construction stage on an ongoing basis.
In addition, based on the experience of university research facilities in operation, as most of the anticipated users of the GIC are researchers, the commuter flow to the GIC is not expected to follow normal peak hours, and the traffic flow to the GIC is the opposite of the residents’ commuting direction. It is expected that there will be no significant adverse impact on the traffic in the vicinity.
4. Will the research laboratories in the GIC bring pollution or safety risks to the nearby areas?
The GIC is an upstream research facility focusing on cutting-edge fundamental research with the purpose to explore key scientific questions and generate new knowledge to address urgent global issues.HKU places great importance on the safety standards of scientific research facilities and has extensive experience in operating laboratories. Research laboratories at the GIC will be designed according to stringent guidelines and adhere to safety protocols to ensure compliance with international standards. The project is at the preliminary planning stage and the specific design and placement of individual facilities will be further considered at the detailed planning stage.
5. At which stage is the development of the GIC currently? Will there be further room for improvement in the future?
The GIC development is now at an initial planning stage. HKU will continue to communicate with government departments, stakeholders and local residents, with the goal of striking a balance between different concerns with development needs.The planning and design details of GIC are yet to be finalised. The sketches used for technical assessments are for feasibility study only. All the design details, including individual facilities and their locations, have yet to be finalised. The future gas storage facilities will be located at an appropriate safe distance from nearby land users and in compliance with statutory requirements on safety.
