IP: Hong Kong's Science Park

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

       ASIAN TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION PROGRAM (ATIP)


REPORT:  ATIP98.067 : Hong Kong's Science Park  
To: Distribution
From: reports () atip or jp
      This is file name "atip98.067" 
Date:  11 Aug 1998
ATIP98.067 : Hong Kong's Science Park 


ABSTRACT: To maintain its competitiveness, Hong Kong needs to prepare
itself to become a knowledge and technology-based economy. Some aspects
of this were discussed in an earlier report, "ATIP98.051 : Promoting
Hi-tech in Hong Kong," and this report extends that. The Hong Kong
government regards a Science Park in Hong Kong as an essential
infrastructure provision for the achievement of their long term goals.
The Hong Kong Science Park is scheduled to begin construction this year,
land preparation is already in progress, and will be ready for Phase I
tenants by 2001. This report summarizes the key aspects of the
infrastructure and the projected benefits of the Hong Kong Science Park
as suggested by the planning committee on Science Park in Hong Kong. For
comparison purpose, a brief description of the infrastructure of
Singapore Science Park is also provided. The report also provides an
excellent view of the thinking that has led to the Science Park project.


KEYWORDS: Government Policy on Science & Technology
COUNTRY: Hong Kong


=====================START OF REPORT ATIP98.067===========================


Copyright (c) 1998 by the Asian Technology Information Program (ATIP) 
This material may not be published, modified or otherwise redistributed
in whole or part, in any form, without prior approval by ATIP, which
reserves all rights.


                 The Hong Kong Science Park
                       (ATIP/Hong Kong)


CONTENTS




1.  PREPARING FOR HI-TECH DEVELOPMENT
1.1    What Is A Hong Kong Science Park
1.2    The Vision
1.2.1    The Timing
1.3    Science Park Site
1.4    Planning Committee
2.  BENEFITS AND COSTS
2.1    Objectives And Missions
2.1.1    Economic Return
2.1.2    Job Benefit
2.2    Projected Cost
3.  PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT
3.1    Underlying Principles
3.2    Phase One Development Parameters
3.3    Provision Of On-Site Residential Housing
3.4    Hong Kong Science Park Corporation
3.4.1    Planning, Development, And Management
3.4.2    Interface With Universities And Other Sectors
4.  SINGAPORE SCIENCE PARK AS A ROLE MODEL
4.1    Background
4.1.1    Benefits Of Locating In The Park
4.2    Objectives
4.3    Development Progress
4.4    Available Lease Plans
4.5    Tenant Statistics
4.5.1    Company And Technology Profile
4.5.2    Education And R&D Profile
4.6    Business Services And Recreational Facilities
5.  CONCLUSION


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1.   PREPARING FOR HI-TECH DEVELOPMENT


1998 has been a difficult year for Hong Kong's economy, as it has for
most other countries in Asia. Hong Kong is in, or nearly in, a
recession, with no clear end in sight. However, the handover to China
seems to have gone smoothly, mostly removing one uncertainty. Two major
infrastructure projects -- a new convention center and a new airport --
are spectacular. Both are now functioning well although there are still
grumbles about cost overruns and some unsatisfactory contractor
performance.


Long term, the Hong Kong Government is committed to providing the most
conducive environment for the economic development of Hong Kong. To
sustain and indeed to enhance its global competitiveness, it recognizes
the need to develop and secure an advanced technology base so that its
economy can move up the technological ladder and in the process Hong
Kong can continue to develop its high value-added industries and
services. Some policies associated with these goals were discussed in a
recent report, "ATIP98.051 : Promoting Hi-tech in Hong Kong," and this
report extends that by discussing the more specific issue of a Science
Park in Hong Kong.


Hong Kong's Industry Department commissioned Segal Quince Wicksteed
(Asia) Ltd. to carry out two consecutive studies to examine the case for
developing a science park in Hong Kong (viz. The Hong Kong Science Park
Study Stage One and Stage Two) in 1992 and 1995 respectively. Both
studies confirmed the need and the demand for a science park in Hong
Kong. There was general support for the establishment of a science park
at the Pak Shek Kok reclamation area in Tai Po. In the Oct. 1997 policy
address made by Tung Chee Wah, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, (and as
discussed in ATIP98.051) he declared several government commitments to
foster the development of technology in Hong Kong. One of such is the
development of a science park at Pak Shek Kok (adjacent to the Chinese
University of Hong Kong). Land was made available to commence Phase I in
1998. This report summarizes the infrastructure and the projected
benefits of the first Hong Kong Science Park that will begin its
construction this year.


We start with the definition and the vision of a Science Park in Hong
Kong. The objectives, the economic returns, and the projected costs are
presented in Section 2. The physical development plan, the management
planning, and how it will interact with local and international
communities are described in Section 3. As Hong Kong is similar in size
and background to Singapore, the Singapore Science Park is used as a
role model for Hong Kong to follow in the Science Park planning. The
infrastructure and the current tenant statistics of Singapore Science
Park are outlined in Section 4. Conclusion follows in the last section.


========================================================================
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