Buildings & Facilities Theatre

Creating Impact in Housing via Social and Technological Innovations

Day 2 : 13:50 – 14:40

Innovations can have a significant impact on transforming the housing industry from improving energy efficiency, safety and security to the quality of life. Creating impact for the future is not only on the environmental side, but also equally if not more important on social perspectives.

Joining us today are experts in the fields of housing, technology, and social innovation, who will share their insights and experiences on this important topic. Through this panel, we hope to provide a comprehensive and thought-provoking discussion to inspire new ideas and collaborations that will drive meaningful change in the housing sector.

Learnings

  • How can social and technological innovations impact the real estate industry? What are some potential benefits and challenges of these innovations?
  • How can we ensure that social and technological innovations in housing are implemented in a way that is equitable and inclusive? What are some strategies for addressing these challenges?

Post-Event Actions

  • Share key takeaways and resources from the panel with colleagues and stakeholders who were not able to attend. This can help to spread awareness and generate new ideas.
  • Consider hosting follow-up events, such as workshops or webinars, to further explore the topics discussed in the panel and to engage with a wider audience.

Speakers

Rainie Pan

Managing Director

Ms. Rainie Pan is the Managing Director of the Hong Kong PropTech Association, an independent organisation that aims to build a collaborative ecosystem around real estate technology stakeholders. Rainie serves in mentor and advisor capacities at a few NGOs and startup programs, and she is also a seasoned management consultant by training serving as a Principal at Oliver Wyman.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

The three SDGs that are dear to my heart and I hope to see & contribute to positive changes in Hong Kong are: Reduced Inequalities (#10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (#11) and Partnerships for the Goals (#17)

Prasad Ekanayake

Founder

Prasad is a Chartered Civil Engineer whose career spans across Europe, Asia Pacific, and Africa in the private and public infrastructure sector. His track record includes underground railways, mining, places of public entertainment, high-end hospitality facilities, corporate & residential complexes.
Banking on his expertise in asset lifecycle and his fascination for Nature, Prasad founded Zero Carbon Housing. His boutique Advisory & Engineering firm offers technical advisory services and affordable & energy efficient housing solutions to help investors deliver their projects, maintain & operate their built assets and meet their ESG and Climate targets. He is a Chartered Engineer from the Engineering Council in the UK, Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Member of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and Certified Associate in Project Management from the Project Management Institute. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the Iteem – Ecole Centrale de Lille.

My Sustainability Goals for 2023:

Affordable housing through Nature inspired design.

Ryan Ip

Vice President and Co-Head of Research

Ryan is the Vice President and Co-Head of Research at Our Hong Kong Foundation. He manages the research department of the Foundation to conduct in-depth research and advise the Hong Kong Government on a range of key topics, including land supply, the housing market, urban planning, proptech, liveability, etc.

Ryan also serves as an Independent Non-Executive Director at China Merchants Land Limited. He is also a member of the Hong Kong Government’s Advisory Committee on the Northern Metropolis, and Land and Development Advisory Committee, an Executive Committee member of the China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce Hong Kong and International Chapter, an International Advisory Committee member of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space, and a board member of the Hong Kong Proptech Association. Before joining OHKF, he was an economist at JLL and Hong Kong Monetary Authority. He holds a Master of Science degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.

Lehui Liang

Chief Impact Capital Officer

Lehui Liang is the Chief Impact Capital Officer at Social Ventures Hong Kong. The Impact Capital team designs new platforms to synthesise capital from partners across all sectors and enables these resources to have a social impact in enriching Hong Kong’s communities. Lehui is also the Senior Manager, Hong Kong for AVPN, a Singapore-based funders’ network committed to building a vibrant and high impact social finance community across Asia.

My sustainability goals for 2023:

Active communities and changemakers all contributing their unique strengths towards creating a “New Urban” Hong Kong that everyone can be proud of.

Ir Professor Mui Kwok Wai, Horace

PhD, CEng, BEng(Hons), FHKIE, MCIBSE, MASHRAE, RPE

Professor Mui is an Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He also a master of the College of Undergraduate Researchers and Innovators (CURI) Residential college. He has extensive research experience in building and environmental engineering, with a focus on indoor environmental quality, indoor air quality, built environment, and energy-efficient building technology.

Prof. Mui has an excellent track record in securing external research grants from both the government and the industry. He has published over 300 journal, archival papers and conference papers and technical reports. Prof. Mui is a Fellow of The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and a member of The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

Prof. Mui has also offered community services to organizations serving the underprivileged and has been serving in various community panels. His research experiences have led him to a number of high-level consultancy projects and court cases related to indoor air quality.

Supported by

With thanks to