News

HKIS Outstanding Dissertation Awards 2024: Dissertation/Thesis Awards for Postgraduate Students

In recognition of our postgraduate students’ outstanding thesis, the following postgraduate students were awarded the Hong Kong Institute of Surveying – Outstanding Dissertation Awards 2024. Award Project Title Student Name Programme Supervisor Top Award (Master) The attention prediction and optimization of operation interface in a tower crane VR simulation training Mr LONG Yitian MSc in Intelligent Construction Prof. CHI Hung Lin Finalist (PhD) Construction Quality Improvement by Adopting Worker-Robot Collaboration Teams and Decentralized Blockchains Dr WU Haitao Doctor of Philosophy Prof. LI Heng Finalist (Master) The Impact of Privacy Perception on Stress Level, Spatial Evaluation, and Work Performance for Office Workers in a Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment Mr LUO Junjiang Doctor of Philosophy Prof. LEE Minhyun

HKIS Outstanding Dissertation Awards 2024: Outstanding Final Year Dissertation Awards

In recognition of our undergraduate students’ outstanding dissertations, the following undergraduate students were awarded the Hong Kong Institute of Surveying – Outstanding Dissertation Awards 2024. Award Project Title Student Name Programme Supervisor Finalist (Building Surveying) Re-evaluating Green Buildings Practices in Hong Kong: An In-depth Analysis of Obstacles and Strategies for Enhancing BEAM Plus Implementation within the Private Sector LI Yiying BSc (Hons) in Surveying Prof. TENG Yue Finalist (Building Surveying) Moving Towards a Greener City: A Critical Study of Implementation of the Green Retrofit in Existing Residential Buildings in Hong Kong SZE Shun Ching BSc (Hons) in Surveying Mr KONG Wai Kei Finalist (General Practice) The Neighborhood Effect of Public Rental Housing on the Private Residential Property Price in Hong Kong TSE Hin Ting BSc (Hons) in Surveying Prof. Jeff SHEN Jianfu Finalist (General Practice) An Empirical Study on the Feasibility of Green Retrofitting Technologies in Aged Buildings for Urban Renewal in Hong Kong WONG Lok Yung BSc (Hons) in Surveying Prof. NI Meng Finalist (Planning and Development) A critical study of the age-friendliness of public housing estate under redevelopment in building an age-friendly housing for Hong Kong: A case study of redevelopment of Pak Tin Estate CHEUNG Tsun Wai BSc (Hons) in Surveying Mr KONG Wai Kei Finalist (Planning and Development) How Railway Development has affected Urban Regeneration in Hong Kong: A Critical Study of Kowloon City District TANG Ching Yee Cherry BSc (Hons) in Surveying Sr Prof. Ivy WONG Siu Wai Finalist (Property and Facility Management) The relationship between green building and residential health in Hong Kong: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic HUI Man Yui BSc (Hons) in Property Management Prof. Jeff SHEN Jianfu Finalist (Property and Facility Management) The Relationship between Accessibility and the Empowerment of the Elderly and People with Disabilities – A Case Study of Kwun Tong WONG Sze Lam BSc (Hons) in Property Management Prof. Esther YUNG Hiu Kwan Finalist (Quantity Surveying) A critical study on New Town Development Model in environmental sustainability – A case study of Tsuen Wan, Tai Po and Tseung Kwan O TSANG Anson BSc (Hons) in Surveying Prof. HOU Yuting Finalist (Quantity Surveying) How does an Inclusive City Promote the Well-being of Older Persons: A Case Study of Wong Tai Sin TSANG Shunki BSc (Hons) in Surveying Prof. SUN Yi  

BRE Supported HKIA Academy's Inaugurating Lecture Series

  BRE was delighted to have supported the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) in hosting four inaugural lectures under the new HKIA Academy this July and August. The series explored four insightful themes on the historical development of Hong Kong’s landmarks.   The invited speaker, Dr Joseph TING Sun Pao, BBS, is a respected scholar on the history of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, renowned for his award-winning books on Hong Kong’s cultural heritage and his pivotal role as Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History from 1995 to 2007.   The lecture series brought together nearly 400 participants from across the industry, including architects, historians, conservationists and students. These engaging sessions fostered meaningful dialogue on the importance of heritage, architecture and conservation in shaping our city’s future.   We extend our heartfelt thanks to HKIA, Dr Ting and all attendees for making this series a success. BRE remains committed to supporting knowledge exchange and professional development within the built environment community.

Welcome Session for the 4th Cohort of the Project Delivery Capability Programme (PDCP)

4th Cohort of the Project Delivery Capability Programme (PDCP)   The Centre for Infrastructure Delivery (CeIDE) was honoured to participate in the Welcome Session for the fourth cohort of the Project Delivery Capability Programme (PDCP) at the Central Government Offices on 17 July 2025. The PDCP, designed and delivered by CeIDE, plays a pivotal role in strengthening project delivery expertise across Hong Kong.   Organised by the Development Bureau's Project Strategy and Governance Office (PSGO), the Welcome Session was officiated by Ir Ricky LAU, Permanent Secretary for Works, alongside with PSGO's Ir Frankie FUNG, and directors of various works departments. CeIDE was represented by Prof. Albert CHAN, Director and Prof. CHAN Man Wai, Associate Director.   Ir Lau encouraged all participants to make the most of the PDCP, enhancing their skills and mindset to further elevate Hong Kong’s construction industry. This year's cohort brings together 27 senior construction professionals: 21 from government works departments and 6 from consultancy firms and other major client organizations. This demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing project delivery

Meet with Students - Tea Gathering

We have recently had a wonderful time at our recent ‘Meet with Students - Tea Gathering’. Amidst a relaxing setting, we shared insights about our new BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies programme which is designed to ignite creativity and equip future architects with essential skills. The afternoon was filled with engaging discussions, interview tips for visiting students and recommendation of favourite architecture books. It was inspiring to see everyone sharing their ideas and questions, making the session truly interactive and meaningful. If you’re passionate about shaping spaces and exploring innovative design, our new programme could be the perfect fit for you.

BRE Connected - June 2025

BRE Connected - June 2025 The latest edition of our newsletter, BRE Connected, is out now! Discover fresh updates on our research, teaching and partnerships. This edition features several notable achievements.  Our collective efforts have been recognised globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.  Also, we highlight the successful inauguration of the Centre for Infrastructure Delivery (CeIDE) and the election of the new Executive Committee of the Building and Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association (BREDAA).  Please click here for the full version.    

Prof. LI Heng Ranked Nation’s Top Scientist in Engineering and Technology by Research.com

Research.com Congratulations! Prof. LI Heng, Chair Professor of Construction Informatics and Associate Director of the Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things (RIAIoT), has been ranked 1st in China and 21st worldwide in Engineering and Technology in the 2025 Best Scientists Rankings by Research.com.   This international recognition, based on the D-index (Discipline H-index) metric that measures scholarly impact through discipline-specific publications and citations, highlights Prof. Li's outstanding contributions to engineering and technology, alongside the significant societal impact of his research.   Prof. Li has led numerous funded research projects on the innovative application and transfer of construction information technologies. His research interests span digital construction, smart construction, ergonomics, and robotics. With a research career of over twenty years, Prof. Li has guided the development of a wide array of products, including computer-aided drawing systems, construction planning and management tools, and advanced intelligent safety systems. In recent years, his work has increasingly focused on cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.   More about Prof Li: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/.../academic-staff/prof-heng-li/ Wen Wei Po coverage: https://polyu.me/4mVG3ct

A Big Applause to All Participants at the BRE Reception

  The BRE Reception was a memorable highlight of our academic calendar on 27 June. As a signature event with over 25 years of tradition, it brings together BRE students, academics, mentors, WIE organizations, donors, alumni, departmental advisors, industry partners and supporters, serving as an ideal platform to foster lasting connections across our community.   Following the welcome speech of Prof. Michael YAM, Head of BRE, we were honoured to have Sr Hon Tony TSE Wai Chuen, BBS, JP, Member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, recipient of The Outstanding BRE Alumni Award 2020 and the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2021, share his words of wisdom during the evening.   Also, the gracious presence of Prof. LING Kar Kan, SBS, Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities) and Director of the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation of PolyU, further highlighted the significance of the event.   In addition, Mr Matthew YAU, the Outstanding BRE Student proposed a vote of thanks while Ir Phyllis CHEN, President of the Building and Real Estate Departmental Alumni Association, was invited to introduce its new executive committee and coming activities on the stage.   The strong presence and great support from industry professionals underscored the importance of collaboration in shaping our future leaders. The evening was made even more vibrant by lively student performances and games, adding extra excitement to the celebration.   The BRE Reception also provided a wonderful occasion to celebrate the achievements of our graduating students. Congratulations to them on completing their degrees! Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this event such a memorable success! More pictures will be available on our website soon.   More pictures are available on our online photo gallery. (https://polyu.hk/jUCgY )

Visit by Nanjing University

We were delighted to welcome a group of students from Nanjing University to our Department last week. As part of our ongoing efforts to showcase our latest developments, the students explored our Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) System and Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies. Through hands-on VR experiences, they gained valuable insights into how these tools are transforming the construction industry. The visit also included tours of our sister departments, giving the students a comprehensive understanding of the Faculty of Construction and Environment’s innovative work. We look forward to more inspiring exchanges in the near future!

BRE Seminar ‘Borderless Community’

On 23 June, Ar Michelle YE 米笑, National First-class Registered Architect of China, shared her insights on the ‘Borderless’ philosophy at the BRE Seminar, inspiring participants to rethink the relationship between architecture, nature, and daily life. Drawing from Lingnan garden traditions and tropical modernism, she highlighted how innovative facades and spatial design can dissolve boundaries and enrich communities. Thank you, Ar Michelle YE, for your inspiring presentation, and to all students, academics and industry professionals who joined us for this seminar!