The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (19 August 2025), establishing a co-operative intent and framework for CityUHK to expand its off-campus space in the non-domestic portion of the URA’s Kwun Tong Town Centre 2.0 project (KTTC 2.0, or the Project) upon its completion.
This MOU represents the second agreement of its kind executed with a local higher education institution, following the collaboration intent established with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in June of this year.
The MOU was signed by Managing Director of URA, Ar Donald Choi, and Provost and Deputy President of CityUHK Professor Lee Chun-sing. Under the co-operative framework, CityUHK intends to take up certain non-domestic portion of the Project, upon completion, either through purchase or other means, to establish additional off-campus academic and administration facilities, or event spaces. The URA will fully leverage the strengths of the Project, with the aim of providing comprehensive support to CityUHK and achieving the development goals of both parties.
Being the largest redevelopment project of the URA, KTTC 2.0 will emerge as Hong Kong’s first high-density composite development incorporating the “Vertical City” concept, integrating multiple functions including commercial, residential, trading, tourism, education, and research. It is capable of providing high-quality support to various industries through three key competitive advantages: super high footfall, exceptional accessibility and connectivity, and great planning and design flexibility.
Professor Lee Chun-sing said, “In support of the HKSAR Government’s goal to promote the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand, CityUHK is committed to providing a superior learning environment and diverse development opportunities for local and international students. We are delighted to partner with the URA on the visionary KTTC 2.0, which will provide off-campus teaching and research space, further elevating our standing in international education.”
Ar Donald Choi said, “The MOU signed with CityUHK represents an expansion of the benefits of urban renewal from the neighbourhood district level to empowering boundless knowledge-based innovations, achieved through the provision of highly flexible spaces to support the future development needs of the higher education sector.
We are pleased that CityUHK acknowledges the development potential and advantages of the Project in advancing its leadership role in the development and internationalisation of higher education. KTTC 2.0 will be a future landmark of both the core business district on the Eastern side of Hong Kong and the future Victoria Cove Area. We are delighted to strategically partner with CityUHK in the shared mission of positioning Hong Kong as an international hub for higher education and in promoting the brand of ‘Study in Hong Kong’.”
Professor Lee also expressed gratitude to the URA and all involved parties, anticipating that this collaboration will advance Hong Kong’s education sector and urban development to new heights. “CityUHK has always valued community engagement. Through various social participation initiatives, we enhance students’ and faculty’s practical experience while deepening ties with the community. The MOU signed today with the URA marks a significant step of the University in integrating with the community and serving Hong Kong,” he added.
Under the “Floating Planning Parameters”, the Project allows the flexibility to interchange the ratio of development mix among hotel, office and commercial uses in the non-domestic gross floor area of over 1.5 million square feet without the need to obtain additional planning approval, whether during the development stage or after the Project’s completion. The URA seeks to attract a diverse array of industries to the Project to address different needs and support Hong Kong’s long-term development goals, including the development of Hong Kong’s second core business district on the Eastern side of Hong Kong and enhancing the accessibility and functional diversity of the development of a world-class Victoria Cove Area.
