Strategic Land Sales for Urban Growth in Singapore and Hong Kong
新加坡與香港推動城市增長的戰略土地銷售
Introduction
Authorities in Singapore and Hong Kong have started land sale processes to support the development of major industrial and mixed-use districts.
新加坡與香港當局已啟動土地銷售程序，以支持主要工業區與綜合用途區的發展。
Main Body
In Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has offered a 3.7-hectare site in the Jurong Lake District (JLD). This area is planned for a mixed-use project that will include about 40,000 square meters of office space, up to 1,200 homes, and 44,000 square meters for shops and leisure facilities. This project is part of a larger plan to spread jobs and housing across the city. Because a previous attempt to sell the land failed in June 2023 due to low prices, the government has decided to handle more of the preparation work, such as building roads and removing old buildings, to make the project more attractive to developers. Furthermore, the area will be better connected once the Cross Island Line and the Jurong Gateway Hub are completed by 2032 and 2029 respectively.
在新加坡，城市重建局 (URA) 提供了一塊位於裕廊湖區 (JLD) 的 3.7 公頃土地。該區域計劃開發一個綜合用途項目，將包括約 40,000 平方公尺的辦公空間、最多 1,200 個住宅單位，以及 44,000 平方公尺的商店與休閒設施。此項目是一個更宏大計劃的一部分，旨在將就業機會與住宅分佈至全城。由於 2023 年 6 月曾因價格過低導致土地銷售失敗，政府決定承擔更多準備工作，例如興建道路與拆除舊建築，以增加對開發商的吸引力。此外，隨著跨島線與裕廊連接樞紐分別於 2032 年與 2029 年完工，該地區的交通連接將更為便捷。
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Development Bureau has finished the bidding process for an 11-hectare site in Hung Shui Kiu, which is the first pilot area of the Northern Metropolis. This site includes 2.6 hectares for housing and 5.5 hectares for industrial and technology facilities. The government used a 'two-envelope' system to choose the winner, where 70% of the score was based on quality and 30% on the price. Since two joint-venture bids were received, it appears that companies from different industries are collaborating more on large urban projects. A panel is now reviewing these bids, and the contract is expected to be awarded by late August.
與此同時，香港發展局已完成洪水橋一塊 11 公頃土地的招標過程，該地為北部都會區的第一個試點區域。此地塊包括 2.6 公頃住宅用地及 5.5 公頃工業與科技設施用地。政府採用「兩封信」制度選出中標者，其中 70% 的評分基於質素，30% 則基於價格。由於收到兩份合營招標，顯示不同行業的公司在大型城市項目上的協作日益增加。目前由專責小組審核相關標書，預計將於 8 月底頒發合約。
Conclusion
Both cities are using specific land sales and government investment in infrastructure to encourage the growth of new urban centers.
兩座城市均透過特定的土地銷售與政府對基礎建設的投資，以鼓勵新城市中心的增長。
Vocabulary Learning
🚀 The 'Power Shift': Moving from Simple to Complex Connections
At A2, you likely use and, but, and because to connect your ideas. To reach B2, you need to use Advanced Transitions that show a logical relationship between two facts.
Look at these shifts from the text:
1. Beyond 'And' Furthermore
- A2 style: The area will have homes and it will be better connected.
- B2 style: "...the project will include homes... Furthermore, the area will be better connected..."
- The Logic: Use Furthermore when you are adding a second, more important point to persuade the reader.
2. Beyond 'Because' Due to
- A2 style: The sale failed because prices were low.
- B2 style: "...a previous attempt to sell the land failed... due to low prices."
- The Logic: Because is followed by a full sentence (Subject + Verb). Due to is followed by a noun phrase. This makes your writing sound more professional and compact.
3. Beyond 'So' To make [something] [adjective]
- A2 style: The government built roads, so the project is more attractive.
- B2 style: "...the government has decided to handle more of the preparation work... to make the project more attractive to developers."
- The Logic: Instead of saying "so it is," use the structure [Action] + [Purpose]. It transforms a simple result into a strategic goal.
💡 Pro Tip for B2 Growth: Stop thinking in short sentences. Start thinking in blocks of information. Instead of saying "X happened. Then Y happened," try: "X happened; furthermore, Y occurred due to Z, to make the outcome better."