top of page
Sky
Conference

Symposiums

The First International Symposium on Urban Futures

Envisaging and Creating Vibrant and Livable Urban Spaces

22 August 2024 (Thursday)

Organizers

Urban Systems Institute and the Department of Urban Planning and Design, the University of Hong Kong

​

Background

How to envisage and create more vibrant and resilient urban futures are the ultimate goals of urban researchers, policy makers, and key stakeholders of urban development. As Hong Kong pursues transformative urban growth through bold initiatives like the Northern Metropolis and KauYi Yi Chau Artificial Islands, there is a pressing need to ensure these large-scale projects bringing dynamic, resilient, and livable spaces that enhance the vibrancy and diversity of urban economy and quality of life for citizens. Crafting such vibrant urban spaces necessitates a delicate balance between economic advancement, community needs, sustainable practices, and an energetic public realm that promotes social interaction and cohesion.

 

In this context, the 1st International Symposium on Urban Futures (ISUF) to be hosted by the Urban Systems Institute and the Department of Urban Planning and Design at the University of Hong Kong will provide an essential platform to explore visionary concepts, best practices, and multi-stakeholder collaboration strategies for envisaging and creating vibrant, resilient, livable, and diverse urban futures. This symposium is dedicated to fostering forward-thinking visions, policies and innovative planning and designs by connecting academic research with practical applications. Through exchanging bold and visionary ideas and examining global examples of successful, vibrant, and livable urban districts arising from large-scale development initiatives, it is anticipated that scholars, policymakers and all stakeholders will benefit substantially from these fruitful discussions and exchanges and hopefully help reshape the urban futures of Hong Kong and wider regions.

​

​About ISUF

The ISUF is a dedicated interdisciplinary platform for forward-looking and future-oriented urban planning, development, and governance. Its key objectives are:

 

  • Sharing research and practical experiences from the globe to enrich understanding;

  • (Re)shaping visionary ideas for our shared urban futures by examining the imperatives, trends, and visions from diverse contexts;

  • Facilitating town-and-gown collaboration by fostering synergy between academic research and practices of urban planning, development and governance.

 

The first ISUF will convene a multidisciplinary array of international experts, thought leaders, practitioners and other key stakeholders to explore successful and sustainable approaches to enhancing urban vibrancy and livability.

​

​

​Supporting Organisations

supporting organisations.png
Event Brochure
schedule
Schedule

Time: 22 August 2024 (Thursday)

Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, Main Campus, The University of Hong Kong

09:00
Registration

30 mins

09:30
Opening Remarks

Professor SHEN Zuojun Max, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, HKU

09:35
Address by Officiating Guest

Ms LINN Hon Ho, Bernadette, JP, Secretary for Development, HKSAR Government

09:50
Report on the Progress of Urban Systems Institute

Professor HE Shenjing, Executive Deputy Director, Urban Systems Institute; Professor and Head, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

10:00
Group Photos

10 mins

AM Session: Sharing Global Experience
Chaired by Professor HE Shenjing
10:10
What Makes a City Attractive?

Professor HATTORI Keiro, Professor, Department of Policy Science, Faculty of Policy Science, Ryukoku University; Guest Professor at Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)

10:35
Towards Sustainable Urbanism: Strategies in Green Urban Development

Mr NG Larry, Former Group Director of Singapore URA, Former Lee Kuan Yew World City
Prize Secretary and Former Commissioner General of Singapore Pavilion, Dubai World
Expo 2020

11:00
Tea Break

15 mins

Chaired by Ms CHEUNG Amy
11:15
Recreating Canton, Building the Pearl River New Town, the 21st Century CBD of Guangzhou 再造省城，廣州21世紀中央商務區珠江新城的建設 (in Mandarin)

Professor YUAN Qifeng, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou

11:40
Integrating Blue-Green Resources in Urban Renewal: Insights from Yau Mong District Study to the Waterway Park Project

Mr KWAN Mike, General Manager (Planning & Design) of Urban Renewal Authority

12:05
Panel Discussion: Sharing Global Experience

Moderator:

  • Professor LING Kar-kan, SBS, Director, Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Panel members (listed in no particular order):

  • Prof HATTORI Keiro, Professor, Department of Policy Science, Faculty of Policy Science, Ryukoku University; Guest Professor at Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin)

  • Mr NG Larry, Former Group Director of Singapore URA; Former Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize Secretary; Former Commissioner General of Singapore Pavilion, Dubai World Expo 2020

  • Prof YUAN Qifeng, Professor, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou

  • Mr KWAN Mike, General Manager (Planning & Design) of Urban Renewal Authority

  • Hon LAM Andrew, SBS, JP, LegCo Member, Seventh Legislative Council, HKSAR

  • Mr CHAN Yum-min, James, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Hong Kong Housing Society

  • Mr YIP Chi Kwai, Tom, JP, Deputy Director of Planning/Territorial, Territorial Planning Branch, Planning Department, HKSAR Government

  • Sr LAM Ka Fai, Francis, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

12:35
Luncheon

by Invitation Only

PM Session: Envisioning the Urban Future
Chaired by Professor YEH Anthony
14:00
Planning for Future Healthy Cities

Professor WANG Lan, Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University, Shanghai

14:25
Smart Transitions and Digital Pathways to Urban Quality of Life

Dr ALLAM Zaheer, Director of Futures & Foresight Co Ltd, Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University, Research Fellow at Hiroshima University & Sorbonne University

Chaired by Professor HUANG Bo
14:50
Pathways to Urban Resilience and the Futureproof City

Mr WILSON Barry, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, Hong Kong

15:15
AI Innovative City

Professor SU Yunsheng, Executive Vice Dean of Shanghai International College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai

15:40
Panel Discussion: Envisioning the Urban Future

Moderator:

  • Professor SHI John, DoSCRI & Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing, Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Faculty of Construction and Environment, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Panel members (listed in no particular order):

  • Prof WANG Lan, Chair Professor and Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University, Shanghai

  • Dr ALLAM Zaheer, Director of Futures & Foresight Co Ltd; Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University; Research Fellow at Hiroshima University & Sorbonne University

  • Mr WILSON Barry, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, Hong Kong

  • Prof SU Yunsheng, Executive Vice Dean of Shanghai International College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai

  • Ms LV Alana, Head of Strategic Consulting, East China, JLL; Head of Urban Regeneration, SCON, China JLL

  • Prof HUANG Bo, Deputy Director, Urban Systems Institute; Chair Professor, Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong

  • Prof ZHOU Jiangping, Research Fellow, Urban Systems Institute; Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

  • Prof YANG Tianren, Research Fellow, Urban Systems Institute; Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

16:10
Tea Break

15 mins

16:25
Round Table: New Paradigm for Future Livable Cities

Moderator:

  • Professor YEH Anthony, Senior Advisor, Urban Systems Institute; Chair Professor (Urban Planning and Geographic Information Systems), Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

Panel members (listed in no particular order):

  • Ms KUN Ka Yin, April, Head, Energizing Kowloon East Office, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government

  • Mr CHUNG Ming-cheong, Assistant Director (Architectural) (Acting), Architectural Services Department, HKSAR Government

  • Sr TSUI Paul, CEO, Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited

  • Ms CHEUNG Amy, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners

  • Ms YEUNG Theresa, Director, Arup

  • Ms DENG Yuanye, Founding Partner of VVYY Practice; Editorial Director Wallpaper, China

  • Prof LI Weifeng, Cluster Leader, Urban Systems Institute; Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

  • Prof QIU Waishan, Assistant Professor Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

  • Mr TANG Roger, Senior Lecturer, Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong

17:25
Closing Remarks

10 mins

17:35
The End of Event

Thanks for your participation!

bottom of page