We are delighted to celebrate the success of the BRE project, ‘A Smart Approach to Urban Renewal in To Kwa Wan: Old Communities in Transformation’, as part of the ‘PolyU FCE Build a Smart City Competition 2025’.
The journey began with a kick-off ceremony led by Prof. Linda XIAO, Associate Dean (Partnership) and Prof. Charles WONG, Associate Dean (Teaching & Global Engagement) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE) in late June. This was followed by two engaging workshops in late June and early July where secondary school students explored the latest Smart City concepts and technologies.
Students enriched their experience through the laboratory visits, a trip to the URA Building Rehabilitation Resource Centre and guided tours of To Kwa Wan, gaining first-hand insights into both the challenges and opportunities of urban renewal. Along the way, they interacted with academic staff and researchers to deepen their understanding and spark new ideas.
The highlight of the project was the Presentation Day in late August where student teams showcased their creative visions for transforming To Kwa Wan into a smarter and more sustainable community. Their innovative ideas and passion provided inspiring perspectives on how old neighbourhoods can be revitalised while preserving their unique character and spirit.
A heartfelt thank you to all participating schools and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) for your incredible support in making this initiative a success. Together, we are nurturing the next generation of urban innovators and empowering young minds to reimagine the future of our city.
We look forward to celebrating these young minds at the Award Presentation Ceremony in late September.
