Message from President
Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated metropolises in the world, with around 7.5 million people living on just 1,107 square kilometers of hilly land. The city is characterized by high-rise residential blocks comprised of relatively small flats, creating an urban living environment not commonly found in other developed regions. High-density urban development brings with it both opportunities and challenges. Air pollution, heat island effects, solid waste management, aging infrastructure and shortages in housing supply are just some of the issues with which we have long contended. Along the way, we have accumulated extensive experience and expertise that can be shared with many developing cities around the world as they become increasingly like Hong Kong. In addition, Hong Kong serves as a living laboratory for the study of technologies and systems that are indispensable for the development of sustainable cities.
Against the above background, the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) was established by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in 2012 to develop sustainable solutions for problems generated by high-density urban development. The Institute now includes researchers from a wide range of disciplines who are engaged in multi-disciplinary, cutting-edge research and associated knowledge transfer activities. The activities of RISUD reflect well the values embedded in the motto of PolyU: To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind. Indeed, PolyU sees it as its obligation to foster the sustainable development of Hong Kong as well as other high-density cities in mainland China and other parts of the world.
RISUD has come a long way over the past ten years, and I wish it even greater achievements in the next stage of development. I am confident that with the continued support of both industry and community, RISUD will scale new heights in the years to come.
Professor Jin-Guang Teng
President
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Message from Council Chairman
With a steadily rising world population and the limited space available on our planet, sustainable development remains a pressing global issue. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) responded proactively to the issue of urban sustainability by establishing the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) in 2012.
In the belief that innovation is the key to development, RISUD has made several notable strides over the past ten years, engaging in various knowledge transfer activities by collaborating with industry and government. The Institute has also brought together multi-disciplinary experts in PolyU, leading to the conduct of cutting-edge research into solutions to problems generated by high-density urban development.
“To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind” remains PolyU’s motto, and one way in which we hope to continue fulfilling it is through our contributions to local and international sustainable development.
Dr Lam Tai-fai, SBS, JP
Council Chairman
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Message from the Director
With the rapid pace of urban development all over the world, understanding the dynamic interactions between human activities and the urban environment is more important than ever. Particularly for a high-density metropolis like Hong Kong, which is facing a range of issues, from air pollution to heat island effects to aged buildings and nature conservation under global climate change, it is imperative that we harness our accumulated experience and expertise on urban development over the last 50 years to ensure its long term sustainable development.
Supporting our efforts to address these critical issues and committed to its motto of “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has facilitated the sustainable development of Hong Kong as well as other high-density cities in mainland China and other parts of the world through research and knowledge transfer activities.
The Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) was established by PolyU in 2012 to seize the opportunity for a world-leading role in this area. While RISUD was initially nurtured primarily by researchers from the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE), it has since expanded to include a significant number of active researchers from other departments of the university. We also build close collaborations with government agencies, industrial partners and local universities via the university-government-industry (UGI) consortium, and establish international networks through TOAF Distinguished Lectures and other activities.
With the successful operation of RISUD in the last ten years, we are ready to advance sustainable urban development research to the next level with large-scale projects and innovative ideas, transforming our cities in the process.
We look forward to working with you on sustainable urban development in the future.
Prof. Xiang-Dong Li
Director of RISUD
