Prof. WENG and Prof. CHEN with the research team of RCAIG
Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Global STEM Professor at PolyU (right), and Prof. Jun CHEN, an esteemed member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Institute of Land and Space and Chief Scientist at the National Geomatics Centre of China (left).
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) scientists excel in the scientific research of geomatics and GeoAI to address societal and environmental challenges, receiving international awards and visit from esteemed academician.
Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Global STEM Professor, and Principal Investigators and Directors of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) and the JC Stem Lab Earth Observations (POLEIS) at PolyU, has defined urban remote sensing as a new field and has transformed urban environmental research through theoretical and technical advancements. These include novel algorithms and innovative methods for sub-pixel-scale analysis and time series imagery.
Prof. WENG has been honoured with the 2024 AAG Wilbanks Prize for Transformational Research in Geography presented by the American Association of Geographers (AAG). The Wilbanks Prize is awarded to geographers who have made groundbreaking contributions in the fields of Geography and GIScience.
Additionally, Prof. WENG has received the Remote Sensing Speciality Group’s (RSSG) Lifetime Achievement Honour Award for the year of 2024, which serves as a testament to his significant contributions to the field of remote sensing. The RSSG of AAG is dedicated to promoting the understanding of remote sensing science and fostering dialogue and interaction among geographers in the applications of remote sensing technology across various domains, including research, teaching, public service and private enterprise.
From heatwaves to pandemic diseases, the urban environments worldwide face numerous challenges. Prof. WENG and his research team are harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and informatics to address emerging concerns related to environmental changes and urban growth.
Innovative geospatial and AI technologies offer ground-breaking solutions and insights into the dynamic changes occurring in our natural and social surroundings. The applications of GeoAI are rapidly expanding across various fields, encompassing transportation, urban and public safety, planning, climate change and natural disasters.
The research led by Prof. WENG has significantly advanced our theoretical understanding and empirical knowledge of urban heat islands, urban sprawl, urbanization effects, and urban environmental sustainability. By establishing relationships among satellite thermal infrared imagery, land surface temperature, and air temperature, the research connects remotely sensed data to urban spatial patterns, radiation budgets, and climate change.
The methodology, developed in collaboration with other researchers in 2024, for estimating land-surface temperature from satellite-derived attributes of vegetation, has had far-reaching impacts in various fields, including urban geography, landscape ecology, urban planning, urban meteorology, and climatology. Prof. WENG is also a Foreign Member of The Academy of Europe (Academia Europaea), and a Fellow of IEEE, AAAS, ASPRS and AAIA.
Moreover, recently, Prof. Jun CHEN, an esteemed member of the International Advisory Committee of the Research Institute of Land and Space and Chief Scientist at the National Geomatics Centre of China, visited the RCAIG and POLEIS research centre led by Prof. WENG.
Prof. WENG and Prof. CHEN engaged in insightful dialogues covering frontiers in scientific research of geomatics and GeoAI and the advantageous research climate fostered by the Hong Kong SAR Government's favourable policies.
The research team of Prof. WENG took this opportunity to present their latest research initiatives to Prof. CHEN. Their presentations covered advanced remote sensing for environmental monitoring, urban heat island effect analysis, and cutting-edge techniques in global urban mapping, among other topics. These presentations underscored PolyU’s innovative drive in geospatial technology and GeoAI. Prof. CHEN also delivered an insightful talk to the research team as well.
For More: https://polyu.hk/krgeW
Learn more about Prof. Qihao Weng’s research focus in the video: https://polyu.me/3Vt7yih
