China Green Building (Hong Kong) Council as the Supporting Organization, the industrial symposium titled “Revolutionizing Urban Development with AI and Digitalization: Climate Change-Resilient Planning, Design, and Maintenance towards Net Zero Carbon” was held on 17 May 2024. Gracing the event were the Guests of Honor Mr Yi Fei, Deputy Minister and Senior Inspector, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR and Ir Ricky Lau Chun-kit, JP, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) of the HKSAR government. Also in attendance was Professor Li Wenjung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy) of CityU; Ir Professor Thomas Ng Shiu-tong, Head of ACE at CityU; Ir Professor Eric Ma Siu-cheung, Chairman of the ACE Departmental Advisory Committee and Ir Pan Shu-jie, Chairman & Director of the Sustainable Development Committee of the HKGBC.
Group Photo of Invited Guests
The symposium received keen interest from the construction sector and attracted close to 200 participants. This symposium aims to explore how these cutting-edge technologies can be harnessed to tackle the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the resilience of urban development. By leveraging AI and digitalization, urban planners and designers can gain valuable insights and predictive capabilities to make informed decisions during the planning phase. These technologies enable the creation of protective adaptation design solutions that consider factors such as extreme weather events, climate volatility, long-term sustainability, and green finance.
Group Photo of all the participants
Ir Ricky Lau, one of the keynote speakers, elaborated on how to leverage AI and digitalization for sustainable infrastructure development. He showcased some examples of digitalization and AI applications in public works, such as digital planning and design systems, asset management systems and AI cameras, which enhance efficiency, productivity, site safety and green performance. He also introduced some of the Government’s decarbonization strategies and said that the success of sustainable development in Hong Kong requires the joint collaboration and commitment of many different sectors, and that the symposium demonstrates UGI (University-Government-Industry) collaboration to make Hong Kong a smarter and greener city.
The symposium also invited two other keynote speakers, namely Professor Dimitri Mavris, a Regents’ Professor, and Professor Perry PJ Yang, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. Professor Mavris talked about digital twin-enabled solutions for sustainable energy and mobility infrastructure development, and Professor Yang elaborated on enhancing carbon neutrality through urban systems design. Ms. Rosana Wong, who is a member of the Building Information Modelling and Construction Digitalisation Committee of Construction Industry Council (CIC), also gave a fascinating talk showcasing the implementation of robotic technologies and digital infrastructure tools in construction projects.
The forum session also saw experts of the UGI sectors giving an insightful sharing of experiences, perspectives and aspirations on Net Zero Carbon buildings, building energy efficiency and the future of AI and digitalization-enabled construction. The forum panellists included Ms. Rosana Wong, Ir Pan Shu-jie, and Ir Professor John Lin, ACE faculty member at CityU.
Professor Zheng Hao, Professor Luo Xiaowei, Professor Amy Tan and Professor Lu Ping, who are from CityU ACE faculty, also shared their cutting-edge R&D work related to the use of AI, digitalization and digital twin for city design, construction site, toxic gas monitoring and typhoon risk assessment applications.
Prof. TSOU Jin Yeu, Raymond Hu Professor of Architecture, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, CityU, Chairman, China Green Building (Hong Kong) Council, provided a closing note and appreciated all the guests and participants.
Prof. Tsou provided the closing note and appreciation