News

PolyU’s satellite remote sensing research drives Hong Kong’s smart city development

In a local media interview, Prof. Charles WONG, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE), Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), and Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), and Dr XU Bing, Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering (AAE), shared the PolyU’s recent signing of MoU with the Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group for satellite imagery as well as the latest remote sensing and aerospace research for facilitating smart city development.   The conventional optical remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar observation data obtained in the future will be of high-definition, with an image resolution of less than 1 meter. PolyU was also granted the right to name the satellite which will be launched next year, and will be able to operate and use the satellite at that time.   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News -https://polyu.me/48476L1 Hong Kong Economic Times -https://polyu.me/3R8KtPM (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily -https://polyu.me/45TS4pt Headline Daily -https://polyu.me/3RatM6m Wen Wei Po -https://polyu.me/3Pzj6xb;https://polyu.me/47XZ4U2 Ta Kung Pao -https://polyu.me/44LF8Ba Hong Kong Commercial Daily -https://polyu.me/483PNdk  

PolyU startup pilots radiative cooling coatings to combat heat in building structures

A PolyU startup co-founded by Prof. DAI Jianguo, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), initiated pilot schemes to apply “UmiCool”, a sub-ambient cooling coating developed by the team, to various building structures in Hong Kong and mainland China, hence achieving cooling and energy saving effects and reducing the reliance on air conditioning. The UmiCool coating uses patented fluorescent cooling technology and can be painted onto the exterior walls of buildings to effectively reduce indoor temperature. Umicool absorbs UV radiation in the sunlight and converts it into infrared radiation for re-emission. It can reach up to 97% in solar reflectance, and can lower the indoor temperature by up to 4 degrees Celsius. The start-up co-founded by Prof. Dai, Umi Coating New Material Technology Co., Limited, collaborated with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR, to conduct pilot projects in applying UmiCool to building structures in Tung Chung and Mui Wo in Lantau Island, as well as rooftops of squatter huts in Pokfulam villages, respectively. This technological innovation was awarded several international patents and won a Gold Medal in the 2022 Geneva Inventions Expo. The startup is planning to establish a sales and production base in Foshan, Guangdong to expand its business in the Greater Bay Area. In the future, the company will expand its technology to other regions and encourage individuals to adopt environmentally friendly and energy-saving coatings.   Online coverage: EJ Tech – http://ejtech.hkej.com/?p=138427  

RILS scholar finds causes for wild weather swings from drought to flood

A collaborative study by Dr WANG Shuo, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Associate Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), Miss QING Yamin, PolyU doctoral student, and researchers from the University of Texas and Columbia University, found that wild weather swings from severe drought to heavy rains are becoming more common with climate change, based on analysis on climate data during 1980–2020. The team also discovered the “land-based feedback loops”, which explains how the movement of moisture from humid regions to dry regions increases the chance of downpours after drought. These results can be useful to help increase the accuracy of predictive climate models and help communities to better prepare for swings between drought and flooding.   The study has been published in Communications Earth & Environment https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-023-00922-2   Online coverage: Yahoo UK - https://polyu.me/45x6Faq  

ADoRILS releases interim findings of Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong with multiple policy recommendations

Prof. K. K. LING, Associate Director of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, and his team released the interim findings of “Study on Effective Transitional Housing Delivery in Hong Kong” and its report on policy recommendations. Funded by the Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme of the HKSAR government, the Study is the first comprehensive study of Hong Kong’s transitional housing programme.  The Government plans to complete 84 transitional housing projects and provide over 21,000 housing units by 2024–25, among which over half are in the New Territories. The Study examined 35 Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) housing projects at open-air sites, which provide about 86% of transitional housing (TH) units delivered under the programme. The Study concluded that Hong Kong’s TH programme, as compared to the relocatable modular building projects in other cities, has the largest scale, fastest construction speed and widest societal participation. The Study supports the Government for taking up the role of builder in the Light Public Housing (LPH) programme to enhance the efficiency of housing delivery, and makes the following recommendations: Recognise the function and position of TH Integrate TH and LPH Standardise the design of MiC units Assist tenants to settle down in the Northern Metropolis Engage NGOs in the community-building of LPH development Advance planning on the re-use of MiC units   Read the full study: https://polyu.hk/nnJYh   Online coverage: RTHK “Hong Kong Today” - https://polyu.me/47EoNR4 (31:28 – 41:35) RTHK - https://polyu.me/3OBcAUR Commercial Radio - https://polyu.me/3OHZaq8 Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3qDEpnt Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3KLPYzX; https://polyu.me/3YDrluO Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3OZRMaL Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3OWTsSt am730 - https://polyu.me/3QJpBOQ Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3qEPqov; https://polyu.me/3P13X7r HK01 - https://polyu.me/3YEqCJS  

RILS supports organization of International Conference on Urban Renewal and Future Urban Development

The International Conference on Urban Renewal and Future Urban Development under Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals was held successfully during 28–30 July in Anji, Zhejiang Province, China. The Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of PolyU was a supporting organisation. Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, President of PolyU and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a speech and shared his views on future city development. Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS gave an invited presentation on development of elevated cities in Hong Kong.      Hosted by Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, China Construction Eighth Engineering Division and Dalian University of Technology, the Conference focused on the development of future cities. It was attended by over 200 participants from universities, research institutions and industry, including a number of academicians.   Online coverage: China Youth On Line - https://polyu.me/3OBpbse (Chinese only)

China Harbour–PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development’s first technical seminar successfully held

The China Harbour–PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development (JRC) held its first technical seminar “Treatment and Reuse of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash” on 18 July 2023. The seminar was kicked off with a welcome speech by Prof. DAI Jianguo, Co-Director of JRC and Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) of PolyU. Eight speakers from PolyU, City University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Environmental Protection Group Co. Ltd. delivered presentations on the value-added utilisation of municipal solid waste incineration ash in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The seminar was also joined by a four-person delegation from China Harbour led by the Mr SUN Hualei, JRC Co-Director and General Manager of Administration Department of China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd (Hong Kong).   With the anticipated commissioning of Hong Kong’s first integrated waste management facility on Shek Kwu Chua island in 2025, the seminar focused on the recent technologies for producing useful construction materials from municipal solid waste incineration ash, as well as the challenges and way forward. Participants had a fruitful discussion on promoting university-industry collaboration and technology transfer in the field.

ADoRILS shares insights on development of Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

Prof. LING Kar-kan, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, was invited to share his insights on the development opportunities of Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands, as well as the impact and opportunities of the Nation’s development plans, at a seminar by New Prospect for Hong Kong last Saturday (15 July 2023).   Prof. Ling said that the Northern Metropolis can reshape Hong Kong’s inherent development pattern of “emphasising the south over the north”, and establish an inseparable “twin city” relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. He mentioned that the “Northern Metropolis Development Strategy” is the first time that the Hong Kong SAR government has recognised the inseparable "Twin Cities" relationship between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and it can encourage government officials to think outside the box, position the project in a cross-boundary spatial framework, and explore the possibilities and effects of Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation.   Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News (Chinese only) - https://polyu.me/3PZAUll

RILS co-organises HKBIM Future Public Housing Design Competition

The Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) co-organises the “HKBIM Future Public Housing Design Competition” together with China (Hong Kong) Association of Architects and Engineers (CHAAE), Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre (LSCM), Hong Kong STEM Education Alliance (STEM Alliance), The Hong Kong Project Management Exchange Centre (PMEC) and Hong Kong Academy of Management (HKAOM). The opening ceremony of the Competition was held at Jockey Club Auditorium, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 4 July 2023.   Guests of honour included: Mr Michael WONG Wai-lun, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Dr WANG Weiming, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Ms Winnie HO Wing-yin, Secretary for Housing of the HKSAR Government; Ms Lillian CHEONG Man-lei, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President of PolyU; Mr Tony TSE Wai-chuen, Mr SHANG Hailong and Mr Duncan CHIU, Legislative Council Members of the HKSAR; Mr Simon WONG, Chief Executive Officer of LSCM; and Dr Barry LI Chi-hong, President of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).   This Competition is classified into Secondary School and Open categories. Contestants can unleash their creativity in developing viable design proposals for future public housings by using the HKBIM software platform developed by PolyU. The winning entries may have the opportunity to be applied to future public housing design projects.   After the Ceremony, Dr JIA Beisi, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, delivered a keynote speech on “An Overview of Contemporary Public Housing Design and the History of Public Housing Architecture in Hong Kong”. Subsequently, Ms LI Xiaoying and Ms MA Jie from the Smart Construction Laboratory of PolyU introduced HKBIM, the main design software for this Competition.   Online coverage: Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/44vVb6k Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/44sEYyE Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/46BIkkU Orange News - https://polyu.me/3NBuw1a Xinhua Net - https://polyu.me/3NCeG6j RTHK - https://polyu.me/3rek5ZQ Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3py1LKy Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/44dSJS8  

RILS Management Committee Member honoured with prestigious European research award and academy membership

Prof. Xiao Lin ZHAO, Management Committee Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Civil Infrastructure of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has been bestowed with the Humboldt Research Award 2023 and elected a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of civil engineering. The Humboldt Research Award is given by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany to up to 100 leading researchers from abroad. The Award is open to all disciplines and recognises academics whose fundamental discoveries, findings or insights have made significant impact on their disciplines. Prof. ZHAO is recognised for his research excellence in civil and structural engineering. Prof. ZHAO has also been elected as a Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in the field of technical and environmental sciences. The EASA is an esteemed non-governmental association with 2,000 members including leading scientists, artists and practitioners of governance.  

RILS Management Committee Member featured on Now TV

Prof. Eddie C.M. HUI, management committee of RILS and Associate Head (Partnership) and Professor of the Department of Building and Real Estate (BRE), shared his insights on land supply-demand imbalance on Now TV programme “News Magazine” on 7 February 2023. Online coverage: https://news.now.com/home/local/player?newsId=506529&catCode=124&topicId=566 (Chinese only)