This dynamic session explores the integral role of green spaces in enhancing the liveability of urban areas. Delegates will delve into concrete examples and case studies that highlight the transformative power of incorporating green spaces within built environments to create vibrant and sustainable neighbourhoods. They will also gain insights into how urban green spaces contribute to improving air quality, reducing urban heat island effects, promoting biodiversity, and enhancing the well-being of residents. Drawing inspiration from successful projects in Hong Kong and across Asia, delegates will learn about innovative design approaches, sustainable landscaping techniques, and community engagement strategies

Learnings

• What are the innovative design approaches and strategies for integrating green spaces within urban built environments?
• How can we examine the positive impacts of urban green spaces on the physical and mental health of residents?
• What are the sustainable landscaping practices that can be employed in urban green spaces to optimize resource efficiency, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation?

Post-event Actions

• Be able to encourage delegates to become advocates for the development and maintenance of urban green spaces within their local communities.
• Inspire delegates and colleagues to incorporate the principles of urban green spaces in their future projects and developments.
• Encourage delegates to share the knowledge and insights gained from the session with their professional networks and colleagues.
• Encourage delegates to actively engage with policymakers and local authorities to advocate for the development and implementation of policies that prioritize the creation and maintenance of urban green spaces.

Leading global cities are significantly rethinking the planning and design of the urban realm in the wake of a deluge of newly available knowledge having become available as a result of technological innovation, global pandemic, and data from climate and environmental crisis. These cities seek to create adaptability and resilience in the face of upcoming and unknown challenges whilst addressing concerns with ageing population demographics, social equity, health, safety, pollution, and waste. New means of conceiving, delivering, and managing urban realm development is being undertaken as a means by which to create better places to live, with local mayors increasingly advocating for new urban solutions. Every city has its own pathways to change, formed from a cultural, statutory, and topographic hinterland. The session will explore how change for better places is happening around the world and whether knowledge, approaches, and techniques can be adopted to suit Hong Kong.

Learnings

• Why can’t Hong Kong make significant urban change as being evidenced around the world? What’s stopping us?
• With lots of new development areas in Northern Metropolis on the way, what can be expected there, and what more needs to be done in the established areas of the city?
• Could whole-system, structural mechanisms for the city be effected to replace the current siloed nature of implementation and management agencies?
• Are there new indexes and measurements that could lead to a quality driven consideration of the urban environment in Hong Kong?

Post-event Actions

• Consider how new modes of consultation, communication, and decision-making might lead to better quality outcomes in the design and management of urban space.
• Explore new methods and timelines of accounting and project or programme appraisal to reconsider the traditional cost-benefit approaches to project implementation.
• Ascertain whether business-as-usual approaches to urban management are acceptable in keeping Hong Kong competitive in the face of global competition for better places to live and work.
• Develop key recommendations to be further developed and shared with the professional community and political decision-makers.

This panel aims to revolutionize Hong Kong’s energy landscape by exploring innovative solutions for a more livable city while achieving carbon neutrality. By bringing together a group of visionary experts, including forward-thinking consultants, energy disruptors, pioneering developers, and impactful non-governmental organizations (NGOs), this session will delve into groundbreaking opportunities to catalyze the energy transition in the whole value chain. From disruptive technologies like microgrids, building management systems, and blockchain-enabled energy systems to game-changing options such as hydrogen and advanced energy storage, the panel will uncover groundbreaking ideas that can transform Hong Kong’s energy paradigm. Join us to be inspired by the visionary minds shaping Hong Kong’s sustainable future and discover how innovation can pave the way for a greener, smarter, and more livable Hong Kong.

The Northern Metropolis initiative intends to transform an area covering one-third of Hong Kong that is mostly farmland and villages into an international innovation and technology hub, however brings about a number of opportunities and challenges. This session will bring in experts in the fields of city planning, infrastructure, and industries to share their insights on how this ambitious initiative can be achieved.

Learnings

• What is the development timeline of the Northern Metropolis and how realistic is this?
• What are the key industries that we should be targeting to help support, promote and ensure the success of this project?
• What is missing? What is needed to attract the right companies and talent?

Post-event Actions

• Understand the opportunities and challenges associated with the Northern Metropolis project.

In the quest for sustainable urban development, public transportation is pivotal in the decarbonization effort. Hong Kong exemplifies this with a staggering 90% public transport ridership. Yet, the city faces a paradox: the number of private vehicles is surging, exacerbating congestion and undermining the reliability and efficiency of public transport system. Compounding the issue is the antiquated and restrictive design of public transport interchanges, which deters the public’s preference for mass transit. 

The panel discussion will center around smart people-centric mobility and its aim to explore innovative initiatives that enhance the user experience of public transportation, ultimately promoting increased usage. Our panelists, esteemed experts in their respective fields, will engage in a comprehensive discussion on a wide range of initiatives and strategies that have the potential to positively impact public transportation. Specifically, they will delve into areas such as data accessibility, infrastructure improvements, and provisions for individuals with special needs, all with the overarching objective of making public transport more appealing, accessible, and attractive to the general public. 

Learnings 

• Initiatives focused on enhancing passenger comfort, convenience, and overall satisfaction can promote increased usage of public transportation. 
• The importance of accessible data in designing initiatives and strategies to meet the evolving needs of users should not be underestimated. 
• Provisions for special needs are essential to ensure that public transportation is equitable and inclusive. 

Post-event Actions 

• Identify areas of improvement for user experience for HK public transportation 
• Partner with sustainability experts and organisations to stay up-to-date on the latest digital innovations and best practices for achieving people-centric mobility. 

Road mobility is a double-edged sword: it’s essential for logistics within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Hong Kong, yet it’s also the source of significant roadside emissions, contributing to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. The cross-boundary transport not only affects roadside air quality but also poses a challenge to public health and climate change mitigation efforts. 

The panel discussion will focus on evaluating the integration of road transport within the urban mobility masterplan and exploring impactful strategies, technological advancements, and policy measures to mitigate emissions and enhance air quality in road transportation across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. We will also examine Shenzhen’s initiative to establish low-emission zones and decarbonize its logistic fleet which presents a unique opportunity for Hong Kong to accelerate its own fleet decarbonization and enhance air quality. 

Learnings 

• Understanding how road transportation integrates into the broader framework of urban mobility and exploring strategies to enhance its efficiency, sustainability, and integration with other modes of transportation. 
• Recognizing the importance of impactful strategies, technological advancements, and policy measures to mitigate emissions and improve air quality in road transportation. 
• Examining case studies of successful initiatives that have established low-emission zones and achieved decarbonization in logistic fleets. 

Post-event Actions 

• Rethink how your company and industry can contribute to the reduction of road transportation emission 
• Sharing the insights and outcomes of the panel discussion with relevant stakeholders, such as government officials, industry leaders, and community groups, to promote awareness and drive action towards low emission road transportation