Twenty-two young professionals from Hong Kong and China businesses, civil society groups and government departments joined the Greater Bay Area Young Leaders Programme over May and June of 2019. The participants visited various cities of the Greater Bay Area and developed a model for innovation that supports quality of life and sustainable development of the region.​

2. Eco-Civilisation in the Greater Bay Area

4. • Drivers of change in a globalised world
• Leadership – Knowledge, Communication,
Empathy
• Pillars of a well-functioning society
• New concepts:
• Pricing Consumption
• The Role of the State
• Externalities
• New Business Models
• Eco-Civilisation
• Behavioural Change

5. • Eco-Civilisation is the new development paradigm being embraced by the Central
Government
• Sustainable development beyond previous definitions – recognising constraints and limits
• Essential transition for human society from the industrial age to ecological civilisation

6. HONG KONG
HKSTP
ZHUHAI
Hengqin New Area
DONGGUAN
Songshan Lake Intelligent
Valley
SHENZHEN
Low Carbon City
DONGGUAN
China Spallation Neutron
Source
SHENZHEN
China National GeneBank
SHENZHEN
Tencent Head Office
SHENZHEN
PKU-HKUST Shenzhen-HK
Institution

7. • Outline Development Plan announced by
Central Government, Feb 2019
• To develop an international first-class bay
area for living, working and travelling
• Our team asked the hard questions:
➢Transforming the GBA from “Factory of
the World” to “Eco-Civilisation
Megapolis”
➢Improving quality of life for 70m people
➢Identifying new innovation opportunities

8. The GBA will be a pioneer for a people-centric eco-civilisation megapolis, realised
through the adoption of innovations in technology and the social sciences, the
streamlining of administrative systems and multi-sectoral cooperation across the region.
Pioneer
By creating a
contemporary vision for
development, the region will
represent a model for both
China and the world.
People-Centric
Development will be based
on the needs
of people and focus on
improving the quality of life for
all.
Eco - Civilisation
Sustainable development will
be at the heart of the GBA’s
approach to growth and
progress.
Innovation
The future will be shaped by
the ability to promote and
nurture creativity and, at the
same time, using technology
to realise the GBA's goals.
Cooperation
The GBA cities must take
ownership of the common
vision and work cooperatively
to achieve their shared
ambitions.

9. Vision
Key Focus Area
Guiding
Principles
Target & Indicators Target & Indicators
Innovation
Map of Opportunities
Innovation Innovation Innovation
Key Focus Area
Guiding
Principles
Key Focus Area
Guiding
Principles
Key Focus Area
Guiding
Principles
Key Focus Area
Guiding
Principles

10. Connectivity
Talent & Livelihoods
Built Environment
Environment &
Resource
Food & Wellbeing

11. Predominantly
public transport
system that
enables
mobility, while
reducing
carbon footprint
Comprehensive and
compatible systems
embracing the
financial markets,
legal frameworks,
business regulations
and information
networks
GBA
Identity
Infrastructure
Flow of
Everything
(FoX)
GBA residents will share a
common identity that
promotes inclusivity and
unity
This focus area refers to how connectivity between the GBA cities can be strengthened to foster the flow of people,
capital and goods, promote social and economic development, enhance regional cooperation, and most importantly,
cultivate a common identity among GBA residents.

12. Flow of
Everything
(FoX)
Infra
structure
GBA will have the integrated high-speed trains connecting all the cities within 1
hour, and light rail connecting urban and rural areas with a population of over
100,000 in 10 years
Carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and methane (CH4) emission from
road transport will be reduced in 10 years
The free trade zone will be extended to all GBA cities by 2030
GBA will establish a mechanism for sharing insurance and financial
information with an agreed privacy protection policy

13. GBA
Identity
GBA will issue a GBA identity card to all residents for free access to all GBA
cities and public services by 2030:
• Indicator 1: 95% of GBA residents with the "card“ by 2022
• Indicator 2: GBA card covers all types of public services by 2022: e.g. medical,
recreational facilities, transport
GBA will form a GBA sports league in 3 years
GBA will create a production site for making world-class movies by 2030

14. This focus area refers to cultivating talent with knowledge and skill sets to fuel the continuous and dynamic
development of the GBA, as well as providing good livelihoods to attract and retain them.
To enhance the
education system to
equip the population
with appropriate
skills that enable
innovation and
support world-class
industries.
To cultivate world-class talents from the
next generation to fit into the evolving
economy.
Basic minimum
remuneration
and working
condition.
Talents
Cultivation
Education
System
Quality
of Living

15. Quality
of Living
Citizens in GBA will have a right to enjoy good quality of life, commensurate
with their economic status, by 2030.
Health and safety standards at workplaces will reach world standards by 2030.
Talents
Cultivation
All students in mainstream schools will share a common school curriculum for
basic education by 2025.
All students in mainstream schools will have access to STEM education by 2025
All students in mainstream schools will have access to bi-lingual education by
2025.

16. Education
System
All active members of the workforce will have access to vocational and
professional education and training leading to certification and professional
recognition by 2030.
• Indicator 3: At least 50% of graduates having had vocational and professional
training.

17. This focus area refers to built environment of the future that based on “circular economy” principles, moving
away from the take-make-waste tradition. With better use of existing assets, resources and technologies,
it will create high quality spaces where people desire to live, work and play, thus fostering continued prosperity
with reduced impact on environment.
To provide
affordable and good
quality housing for
all
All new construction as well as
renovations will use modern methods of
construction to achieve global building
standards
To create a GBA urban
planning guide-line
that provide quality
living space
ConstructionHousing Urban
Planning

18. Construction
Housing
Maintain new public housing supply at certain percentage of the total housing
supply for each city
• Indicator 1: Starting from [2022], the annual percentage growth of public
housing units to be higher than the annual population growth for that city
All residents in GBA will have at least 30 m2 of housing space on average.
The percentage of construction & demolition waste being recycled to reach
50% by 2030
Urban
Planning
To create a GBA standards based on best practices from leading countries
(e.g. Germany - DGNB, UK - LEED, Hong Kong - BEAM) and all new construction
must comply with that.
Public services to be reachable by accessible distance

19. To achieve air,
water and soil
pollution
standards that
meet or at a
minimum exceed
existing world
standards
Minimize overall
use of resources
whilst achieving
economic growth
Restore and
prevent further
loss to
biodiversity by
expanding and
maintaining
protected areas
Carbon intensity
levels will be
reduced by 50%
by 2030 relative
to 2015 levels
Resources
Carbon
Emission
Pollution
Natural
Environment
This focus area refers to the ecological footprint of the GBA and the policies, technologies and, innovative
solutions to reduce and limit the impact on natural resources, promote a circular economy and improve
environmental quality.

20. Natural
Environment
Pollution
To meet World Health Organization standard on Ambient Air Quality and
Indoor Air Quality
• Indicator 1: PM2.5 concentration level over 10 ug/m3 will be less than 120 days
per year by 2030.
• Indicator 2: Zero concentration of Radon in all indoor areas by 2025.
All surface water for drinking water supply and ecosystem health will achieve
Grade II and Grade III of the Water Quality Criteria of the PRC respectively by
2030.
Reduce arable land contamination by 50% by 2030
To increase the total coverage of nature reserve land (e.g. forest, wetland) to
20% by 2030
To increase the total population of threatened species by 10% by 2030 relative
to 2018

21. Carbon
Emission
Resources
Energy consumption per unit of GDP will be reduced by 50% by 2030 relative to
2015 levels
To reduce generation of municipal and industrial solid waste by 50% and 30%
respectively by 2030 relative to 2018 levels
To eliminate single-use plastic by 2025
Carbon emission per unit GPD will be reduced by 50% by 2030 relative to 2015
levels
To increase recycle rate of key municipal waste components by 30% by 2030

22. Build a traceable food
supply eco-system to
ensure food safety
and reduce food
wastage. Standardize
potable water quality
in the GBA.
Creating a thriving
arts and culture
sector to promote
and preserve a
unique GBA culture.
Create an unified
healthcare system and
standards, and to
establish a
comprehensive medical
record database for the
population of the region.
GBA residents to have
the right to readily
accessible leisure and
recreation facilities.
Arts &
Culture
Recreation
Food &
Water
Quality
Healthcare
This key focus area refer to food self-sufficiency and safety, farm-to-table value chain, accessible and
affordable healthcare, good recreational and sporting facilities, as well as flourishing arts and culture to create
a quality living circle in the GBA.

23. Recreation
Food &
Water
Quality
All restaurants & supermarkets will provide food sourcing & nutrient
information, and wet markets will provide food sourcing information, by 2030
• Indicator 1: Rate of regulation compliance to reach 70% for restaurants,
supermarkets and wet markets respectively by 2025.
Reduce food wastage from supermarkets, restaurants and households by 80%
by 2030
All households have access to potable water & sanitation systems by 2030
To promote physical activities and provide the necessary facilities and
opportunities for all GBA residents.

24. Art &
Culture
Healthcare
All GBA residents can receive medical diagnosis & treatment within 3 months
of 1st request by 2030
All GBA residents will have access to affordable medical services, by 2030.
• Indicator 1: Average medical service and insurance expenses should not
exceed 5% of the annual individual income by 2030
Create a common GBA medical record database shared by all GBA medical
institutions for all citizens by 2030
6% of GDP in GBA contributed by the creative & cultural industries by 2030.

25. • Tourism
• Education
• Finance
• Creative industry
• Elderly care
• Low cost housing development
Value Chain
Behavioral & Mindset Change
GBA Identity Card
GBA identity card will cover all GBA residents for free access to all GBA cities and public services by 2025.
• GBA identity
• Inclusivity
• Respect
• Collective interest
• Ethical standard
Flow of influence
Flow of information
Governments
Enterprises
Bank & insurance co.
Property developer
Stakeholders
Social Innovation Tech Innovation
• Psychological
• Bureaucracy
• Privacy trade-off
• Vested Interests
Obstacles
Infrastructure
• Policy alignment
• Education system
• Privacy policy
• Monetary system
integration
• Data alignment
• Cyber security
• Fintech
• Road pricing
• Data center
• Transport network
• Recreational
facilities
• Housing
Technological co.
Public utilities
• Power & Water
System
Citizens
• Schools
• Universities
• Hotels
• Healthcare

26. Food & Wellbeing
Food Supply Chain
Traceability Platform
Environment &
Resources
Carbon Footprint
Measurement Scheme
Talent & Livelihood
Technology innovation
possibility in recruitment
Built Environment
Integrated Design
Process (IDP) & Building
Information Modelling
(BIM)Connectivity
GBA Identity
These five factors will enable the GBA to become the world’s leading bay area.

27. The GBA needs to manage a
complex set of interdependencies
and must develop with a holistic,
unified vision. There will not be a
single model, nor there is a final
endpoint, however with
coordinated efforts, we can and
will make the GBA a new model
for global eco-civilisation to
flourish.