Focus Research Areas of Departments

Traditional architectural design and construction processes face critical limitations in addressing complex spatial issues, building environments, and the need for sustainable, accessible design solutions. To transcend conventional modeling paradigms, this research area integrates advanced digital tools with architectural theory to pioneer high-performance, ethically grounded designs.

This research area focuses on generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) workflows, next-generation Building Information Modelling (BIM), and digital fabrication. Key research directions include formulating original digital frameworks to resolve complex architectural challenges under data limitations. By bridging architecture with big-data intelligence and engineering, this research explores the epistemic shift in technology’s role within the creative process. Ultimately, this work aims to advance building designs through integrated advanced technologies and smart materiality, redefining how individual structures and tectonic system are conceptualized, simulated, and realized.

Examining the built environment requires a deep critical capacity to understand how historical forces shape contemporary spaces. Traditional historical and conservation methodologies often face challenges when dealing with contested histories, socio-political shifts, and fragmented or biased archives. To address these complexities, this research area develops transformative, ethically grounded frameworks that redefine the socio-cultural value of the built environment, safeguarding both tangible and intangible heritage while promoting sustainable stewardship.

This research area focuses on architectural historiography, critical theory, and material conservation methodologies. Key research directions include resolving complex conservation dilemmas, navigating fragmented archival records, and deconstructing prevailing historiographical biases. Rather than researching in isolation, this field fosters high-impact collaborations at the intersection of architecture, history, sociology, archaeology, and the humanities, directly engaging with global discourses and local cultural identities. Ultimately, this work aims to cultivate a profound historical consciousness, informing public policy and redefining how cultural legacies are safeguarded for future generations. Research methodology in this domain will also employ latest digital technologies, including AI, 3-D scanning, remote sensing, and heritage BIM.

Rapid urbanization, environmental changes, and unforeseen crises—ranging from climate displacement to resource depletion—demand resilient, forward-looking approaches to urban planning and spatial design. Traditional planning paradigms often struggle to resolve complex challenges such as hyper-density, infrastructure decay, and socio-spatial inequality, particularly when dealing with fragmented, unstructured city-scale datasets. To address these limitations, this research area pioneers ethically grounded, data-informed smart city frameworks that align strategic development goals with global sustainability agendas, positioning spatial planning as a primary catalyst for societal benefit.

This research area focuses on advanced spatial analytics, predictive modeling, complex urban simulation algorithms, and integrated IoT or digital-twin frameworks. Key research directions include developing high-profile design solutions that proactively shape urban technology rather than merely reacting to it, while critically addressing the social and ethical implications of technological determinism. By fostering high-impact collaborations across government agencies, tech industries, and disciplines such as sociology, public policy, and urban-scale informatics, researchers in this field continuously integrate emerging socio-technical concepts into real-world pilots. Ultimately, this work aims to lead global discourses on urban technology, transforming how macro-scale human settlements and future developments are conceptualized, managed, and sustained.

Energy issues in the building and built environments are addressed in the context of both demand and supply. Energy efficiency is enhanced on the demand side by the optimised design and smart control of energy systems, and on the supply side by the effective use of renewables as well as the innovative use of waste for clean energy generation. Research topics include:

• Robust and optimal design of building Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems
• Optimal control of building HVAC systems
• Energy assessment/diagnosis of buildings with deficient high volume information (Big Data)
• Demand management for smart grid
• Photovoltaic integration
• Hybrid solar-wind power generation
• Development of advanced renewable energy technologies
• Hybrid ground-coupled heat pump applications for air-conditioning in hot-climate region
• Highly dispersed nanocomposite for self-cleaning photovoltaic panels
• Green building nanomaterial and novel building envelope technology development
• Novel solar heat-reflective insulation material based on hollow glass microballoon cores with hierarchical porous rutile TiO2 coating
• Sustainable energy conversion and storage with emphasis on high temperature fuel cells for efficient energy conversion from biofuels or organic waste
• Planting techniques for enhancing CO2 absorption for urban rain gardens
• Technology development and economic feasibility of applying new urban biorefinery to convert solid wastes-derived lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels
• Low-carbon construction processes

At the International Commerce Centre (ICC), a collaboration between The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) team and the building management team has achieved a 39% reduction in air-conditioning energy use through optimised system design, control, and life-cycleretro-commissioning.

Research in this area aims to improve indoor and outdoor environments, including the urban microclimate wind and thermal comfort at pedestrian level, the indoor air temperature and humidity for thermal comfort and energy efficiency via sophisticated heating, ventilating and air-conditioning technologies. Improving indoor environmental quality involves attention to thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ), visual and acoustic comfort. For sustainable urban development, research aims at developing integrated building design approaches that consider building ventilation and pollutant dispersion as well as pedestrian wind and thermal comfort in public open spaces. For the best possible indoor environment with the least energy consumption, research needs to focus on developing innovative technologies and improving existing technologies. These include precise control of indoor thermal parameters, novel ventilation strategy for improved IAQ, ventilation-enabling sound insulation technologies, novel duct noise control technique using periodic Helmholtz Resonators, multidimensional psychoacoustic assessment of acoustical environments, novel indoor silencing devices, the use of daylight for energy saving and visual comfort, studies of interunit pollutant dispersion in multistorey buildings, use of innovative building envelopes to enhance indoor environmental quality, etc. Enhanced wind and thermal comfort in the urban microclimate can be developed via computational modelling, new design tools and policy reviews.

Research endeavours to improve the indoor environment.

Intelligent management of buildings and infrastructure must include building fire safety and other concerns, such as the interference of lightning bolts with electrical and electronic systems. A joint laboratory established with the Shenzhen Power Supply Bureau integrates grid systems and building electrical systems, and serves as a platform to develop intelligent power equipment and to address various safety issues in the utilisation of electricity, such as electric shocks and electric arcs. BEEE researchers also work with fire services and fire safety engineers, seeking innovative, performance-based and AI-based engineering solutions to practical problems. The Research Centre for Smart Urban Resilience is conducting research on various fire engineering topics, such as wildland fires, fire hazards at the wildland-urban interface, fires in tall buildings, travelling fire phenomena in large open plan compartments, fire hazards associated with batteries, fire safety in spacecraft, and structural and material responses to fire. Recent focus has been on the smart-firefighting system (SureFire) with leading international researchers, laboratories, government agencies, and multiple high-tech companies. This system adopts complex data-generating networks enabling real-time monitoring of urban fire hazards. Implementation of such a system for smart firefighting will strongly support Hong Kong’s claim as a leading smart city.

362 m-high tower with various sensors and measuring systems, aiming to form a unique experimental platform for the research of atmospheric environment including lightning and its effects.

Climate resilient infrastructure involves the design, construction, and maintenance of urban systems and utilities that can withstand the impacts of climate change. This strategic research area is increasingly critical as communities face rising risks from extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, typhoons, wildfires and heatwaves. The significance of climate resilient infrastructure at PolyU lies in its strong alignment with the institutional goals of sustainability, innovation, and community engagement. By developing robust structures that can endure climate challenges, we not only mitigate risks and enhance safety but also foster economic stability, which supports PolyU’s commitment to driving societal progress. Furthermore, advancing research in climate resilient infrastructure is vital for implementing national strategies and regional policies in Hong Kong. This ensures the long-term viability of essential platforms and services at PolyU, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development and the protection of communities in the face of climate change.

AI for future cities refers to building smart and connected communities that synergistically integrate intelligent technologies with the natural and built environment, across cities and communities in both urban and suburban contexts. This approach harnesses AI to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and quality of life, advancing priorities such as public health, accessible services, improved living conditions, and inclusive economic opportunity. AI for future cities faces inherently cross-cutting challenges that require close interdisciplinary collaboration across engineering, urban, environmental, and social domains, which demands both novel theoretical advances in trustworthy, scalable, and interpretable AI, and robust pathways for real-world deployment. Against this backdrop, the PolyU CEE advances AI for future cities by integrating intelligent methods across structural, transportation and construction, geotechnical, and hydraulic engineering to support smarter urban infrastructure systems. By coupling AI with deep domain knowledge of the built and natural environment, PolyU CEE bridges theory and practice, translating innovation into deployable solutions for future resilient and sustainable cities, with Hong Kong serving as a living laboratory.

This focus area aims to integrate natural processes and ecosystems into the planning, design, construction, and management of urban environments. As cities face increasing challenges from climate change, rapid urbanization, and resource constraints, nature-based solutions (NbS) offer sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective alternatives to conventional engineering approaches. This strategy leverages the inherent benefits of green infrastructure—such as urban plants, green roofs, permeable pavements, wetlands, and restored waterways—to address urban challenges including stormwater management, heat island mitigation, air and water quality improvement, and biodiversity enhancement.

By prioritizing NbS, the CEE Department seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, ecologists, urban planners, and policymakers. The focus area emphasizes research, education, and practical implementation of NbS, encouraging innovative design that harmonizes built and natural environments. Students and researchers will explore methods to quantify the performance of NbS, assess their social and economic co-benefits, and develop guidelines for their integration into urban development projects.

This strategic area advances a globally leading programme aligned with environmental sustainability and health. It integrates evidence‑based atmospheric science; resilient, low‑carbon urban water systems; circular bioresource valorisation; and carbon‑smart construction materials. By coupling advanced monitoring and sensing with exposure and health science, engineering design, and lifecycle assessment, it identifies emerging environmental health risks in urban and regional contexts and translates insights into targeted interventions that reduce pollution burdens and close environmental health inequities. With a clear pathway from discovery to deployment, it informs air quality standards, modernises water and resource management, and scales circular and low‑carbon technologies that convert wastes into energy carriers, platform chemicals, advanced materials, and CO2‑sequestering construction products. This integrated research area advances PolyU’s goals in sustainability, innovation, and community impact by delivering cleaner air, water, and land; resilient essential services; and measurable health gains, thus positioning PolyU at the forefront of sustainable urban transformation across Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

This research area of Carbon Neutrality and Circular Economy in Construction is a strategic interdisciplinary field that directly advances our institutional goals by integrating structural engineering innovation and advanced low-carbon construction materials science, with broader systemic solutions including advanced waste valorization, life-cycle carbon assessment, and design for disassembly. This integrated approach fundamentally transforms the built environment to minimize embodied carbon and conserve resources, thereby reducing the sector’s environmental footprint in alignment with Hong Kong’s decarbonization targets. This research not only positions PolyU as a leader in sustainable urban development but also drives the transition of the local and regional construction industry towards a net-zero, resource-efficient future, creating tangible economic and environmental value for the community.

Marine engineering involves the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure and vessels in marine and coastal environments, including ports, offshore infrastructure, coastal protection systems, underwater utilities, and ships. Advancing research in this field is essential for delivering innovative solutions that safeguard blue economic activities and transportation networks, promote sustainable resource management, and support the harvesting of renewable marine energies. These solutions are also increasingly important for protecting the marine environment and vulnerable coastal communities, particularly as Hong Kong and other coastal cities face growing challenges such as sea level rise and extreme storm surges. At PolyU, strategic research in marine engineering enhances interdisciplinary collaboration, leading to innovations with significant societal benefits. Moreover, this research aligns with national and regional development strategies, especially as China strives to become a strong maritime nation and the Greater Bay Area develops into a world-leading port cluster.

The research on “AI and Robotics for Construction” explores the transformative potential of AI and robotic technologies in the construction industry. This area investigates how AI-driven systems and autonomous robots can enhance productivity, safety, and quality across various construction processes. Key topics include the development of intelligent algorithms for project planning, resource optimisation, and predictive maintenance, enabling more efficient management of complex construction projects.

Robotics research examines the design and deployment of automated machines for tasks such as bricklaying, concrete pouring, welding, and site inspection. These robots can operate in hazardous environments, reducing risks to human workers and improving overall site safety. Integration of AI with robotics allows for real-time data analysis, adaptive decision-making, and collaborative human-robot workflows, leading to smarter and more responsive construction sites.

Additionally, this research addresses challenges such as interoperability, scalability, and ethical considerations in adopting AI and robotics. It also explores the use of computer vision, machine learning, and sensor technologies for monitoring progress, detecting defects, and ensuring quality control. By advancing AI and robotics applications, this research aims to revolutionise construction practices, drive innovation, and contribute to the development of sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environments.

The research on “Digital Delivery of Infrastructure” examines how digital technologies are revolutionising the planning, design, construction, and management of infrastructure projects. Central to this area is the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), which enables the creation of detailed digital representations of physical assets, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders and improving decision-making throughout the project lifecycle. Researchers explore the integration of BIM with other digital tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to enhance data sharing, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics.

Digital delivery also encompasses the use of advanced project management platforms, digital twins, and automation to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and optimise resource allocation. These technologies support remote collaboration, enabling teams to work efficiently across different locations and disciplines. The research investigates best practices for implementing digital delivery, addressing challenges related to interoperability, data security, and change management.

Furthermore, digital delivery contributes to sustainability by enabling more accurate forecasting of material usage, energy consumption, and lifecycle costs. By advancing digital delivery methods, this research aims to improve infrastructure quality, reduce project risks, and foster innovation in the construction industry, ultimately supporting the development of smarter, more resilient urban environments.

The research on “Neuro-safety and Construction Health” emphasises the importance of prioritising the well-being of workers in the construction industry. This area investigates how ergonomic design, behavioral science, and innovative technologies can be integrated to create safer and healthier work environments. Researchers study the physical, psychological, and social factors that influence safety outcomes, aiming to reduce accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses on construction sites.

Key topics include the development of wearable devices and sensor-based systems that monitor workers’ health indicators, fatigue levels, and exposure to hazardous conditions in real time. These technologies enable proactive interventions and personalised safety measures. The research also explores training programmes that utilise virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to simulate high-risk scenarios, enhancing workers’ hazard awareness and decision-making skills.

Human-centred approaches extend to organisational culture, leadership, and communication strategies that foster a safety-first mindset. Researchers analyse the impact of policies, incentives, and participatory practices on safety performance, advocating for inclusive environments where workers’ voices are heard. By focusing on the human element, this research aims to develop practical solutions that not only comply with regulations but also promote long-term health, productivity, and job satisfaction in the construction sector.

The research on “Sustainable Infrastructure Development” focuses on creating infrastructure that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. This area explores innovative strategies, materials, and technologies developed to minimise environmental impact, promote resource efficiency, and enhance social and economic benefits. Researchers investigate the use of green building materials, energy-efficient design, and renewable energy integration to reduce carbon emissions and resource consumption throughout the infrastructure lifecycle.

Key topics include life cycle assessment (LCA) of infrastructure projects, which evaluates environmental impacts from construction to demolition, and the adoption of circular economy principles to encourage recycling and reuse of materials. The research also examines sustainable urban planning practices, such as transit-oriented development, green spaces, and resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate change and natural disasters.

Social sustainability is another important aspect, with studies focusing on community engagement, equitable access to infrastructure, and the creation of healthy, inclusive environments. Researchers analyse policy frameworks, financing models, and regulatory measures that support sustainable development goals. By advancing sustainable infrastructure development, this research aims to foster innovation, reduce ecological footprints, and improve quality of life, ultimately contributing to the creation of resilient, adaptable, and environmentally responsible built environments for future generations.

Geospatial technology includes Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), remote sensing (optical remote sensing, ground penetration radar (GPR), interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). LSGS conducts research on the development of theories and methodologies of GNSS, remote sensing and GIS and the application of these technologies.

In theory and methodology, efforts are devoted to some key issues (such as atmospheric effect, reliability, uncertainty, and scale) for precision positioning to measure ground features, underground (utility survey) and underwater (hydrographic survey), robust feature extraction and interpretation from remote sensing data, reliable mining and analysis of spatio-temporal data. In applications, one of the main research topics is Earth and planetary mapping, such as topographic mapping, land cover and change detection, planetary mapping (e.g., Mars and Moon) supporting space exploration missions, thematic mapping (environment and socio-economic data) and seabed mapping. New cartographic technology for mapping includes dynamic and animated maps, schematic maps, cartograms, navigational maps and personalised maps. Another main research topic is construction, including the monitoring of structures, land subsidence, ground deformation and landslides; construction management, and underground utility. A focus is the integrated InSAR and GNSS for such applications. The third main research topic is the geospatial technology for environmental studies, including studies of air quality, water quality, vegetation, sea levels, hydrology, glaciers, and climate change.

This is a trans-disciplinary field that draws on three broad domains: people, place, and technology. The focus will be on three areas: Spatial Big Data Modelling and Analytics, Smart Positioning and Mobility, and Urban Sensing and Measurement.

An interdisciplinary research team at PolyU has been formed to work on solutions for spatial big data modelling for heterogeneous, multi-resolution sources of spatial data; analytical methods for dynamic urban data; as well as analysis and prediction of urban mobility and dynamic behaviour based on spatial big data. Recently, attention is also being paid to the more automated 3D/4D city modelling with a high level of details and the development of a spatial data infrastructure for smart city development in Hong Kong.

Smart positioning is the core technology to support a mobile internet, location-based services (LBS), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Satellite-based navigation systems have become the fundamental infrastructure for national security and economic growth. Smart mobility is crucial for a smart city by reducing traffic congestion and pollution, improving transfer speed and human safety, and reducing transfer cost. LSGS has conducted research on navigation technologies and smart mobility for more than 30 years. Research in Urban Sensing and Measurement includes urban heat island research, urban atmosphere monitoring, urban hazard monitoring, urban utility and infrastructure monitoring and management, urban 3D mobile mapping and modelling.

LSGS is developing an internationally recognised area of excellence in Urban Informatics. Master’s and Bachelor’s degree programmes in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities were launched in 2020 and 2023, respectively, while a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research area in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities was launched in 2019. The Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute was established in 2020. A comprehensive book with over 900 pages, Urban Informatics, was published by Springer in 2021. The department also initiated and organised the International Conference on Urban Informatics series, established an International Society for Urban Informatics in 2019, and started the International Journal of Urban Informatics in the same year.