News

LSGI Researchers Develop Advanced Technologies for Underground Utilities Inspection

Ir Prof. Wallace Wai Lok LAI, Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor at the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics (LSGI), and his research team have leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management.   Press Release: English - https://polyu.me/46xOdS4 Chinese - https://polyu.me/4nvg77q Online Coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/42mKkgq Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/488TXmD Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3VIW896 Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4o0IOsB HK01 - https://polyu.me/4pPsNYc

PolyU Info Day 2025

Attracting over 43,000 visitors, PolyU Info Day on 27th October 2025 held at the campus was a major success. The Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics (LSGI) showcased its cutting-edge programmes and facilities to future students. The event's success was fueled by the enthusiastic participation of LSGI academic staff, supporting staff, student ambassadors, and alumni. Throughout the event, the visitors engaged in a variety of activities, including programme consultations, BSc admission talks, alumni sharing, and guided lab tours. A special highlight went to the guided tour to HiVE led by Ir Prof. Wallace LAI, Associate Head and Professor, who shared his insights related to Hong Kong’s WWII history. Participants also engaged with an immersive art-tech exhibition showcased in a 4D CAVE. During the two BSc admission talks, Ir Prof. Wallace LAI and Dr. Sissi CHEN, Deputy Programme Leader and Lecturer, offered the comprehensive insights of the curriculum and the opportunities available within the LSGI programmes. Meanwhile, two LSGI alumni, Mr. Alan NG, Land Surveyor at the Lands Department, and Ms. Pinky LEE, Executive Director of Signature Consulting and Engineering Ltd shared their professional experiences on the career opportunities in both the public sector and private sector. Their experiences provided the visitors with a real-world perspective, helping them envision the diverse paths available in the field of land surveying and geo-informatics.

LSGI Scholar Received 'STEM Outstanding PhD Thesis Award' on Soil Drought and Climate Change

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Yamin QING, a PhD student in LSGI, has been awarded the 'PolyU PhD Thesis Award - STEM Outstanding Award'. Under the supervision of Prof. Shuo WANG, Dr. QING completed her thesis “Advancing the Understanding of Soil Drought Dynamics and Mechanisms in a Warming Climate”. Dr. QING's research addresses a critical challenge of the climate change. The sudden and severe droughts would endanger food security, water resources, and livelihoods. These rapidly evolving droughts could develop within days, leaving farmers, communities, and governments little time to respond. She developed a new and reliable method to identify such events, enabling earlier warnings that can help safeguard crops, secure water supplies, and reduce wildfire risks. Dr. QING reveals that droughts are intensifying more quickly than previously understood, even in regions once considered as water-secure. The study highlights a critical and dangerous situation: sudden soil drying often precedes dangerous heat waves or leads to extreme floods when rains return. By understanding soil drought dynamics and its critical role in multi-hazard climate extremes, her research provides knowledge that helps societies better prepare, protect vulnerable communities, and build sustainable resilience. Congratulations Dr. QING!

PolyU Partners with Lands Department to Advance Geospatial Innovation and Smart City Development

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Lands Department of the HKSAR Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12 September 2025. The partnership aims to drive smart city development and digital transformation in Hong Kong.    The MoU was signed at PolyU by Prof WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Mr CHANG Kwok-fai, Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department, in the presence of representatives from both organisations. Lands Department representatives: Mr CHANG Kwok-fai, Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) Mr CHU Siu-ki, Assistant Director (Survey and Mapping) Mr. AU Chi-ho, Tommy, Chief Land Surveyor (Development) Mr. CHOI Wai-man, Raymond, Chief Land Surveyor (Land Information Centre) Mr. YEUNG Cheuk-man, Danny, Chief Land Surveyor (Technical)  Mr. CHAN Ka-lok, Alvin, Senior Land Surveyor (Technical Information) The PolyU representatives: Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) Prof. CHEN Wu, Head of LSGI Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of the PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) Prof. WENG Qihao, Director of Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG)   Welcoming the partnership, Prof Wang said: ‘From urban planning and environmental monitoring to disaster response and resource management, spatial data and artificial intelligence are transforming the way we understand and interact with our environment. By bringing together the Survey and Mapping Office’s authoritative expertise with PolyU’s academic excellence and innovative drive, this MoU will strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global smart city leader and create a legacy of innovation and prosperity for our community.’ Mr Chang remarked: ‘This partnership combines PolyU’s research excellence with the Lands Department’s practical experience, marking a significant step towards modernising Hong Kong’s geospatial technologies. We will promote innovative solutions that enhance land administration efficiency and support the city’s smart development.’   Prof. CHEN Wu, Head and Chair Professor of LSGI, emphasized the significance of the partnership, “SMO possesses valuable datasets, regulatory frameworks and practical insights into urban challenges, while PolyU contributes cutting-edge research, technical expertise, and innovative solutions. By working together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that scientific advancements are effectively translated into real-world applications. Ultimately, this collaboration will accelerate the creation of a smarter, more sustainable Hong Kong by leveraging the strengths of both sectors to address complex urban issues and improve the quality of life for citizens.”   Under the MoU, four PolyU units — LSGI, RILS, SCRI and RCAIG — will collaborate with the Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) on research, education and knowledge exchange in land surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, smart city applications, AI and location-based technologies. The parties plan to establish a joint research centre. PolyU will contribute personnel and technical resources, while SMO will provide professional and industry insights. The collaboration will also explore training for industry practitioners and relevant government staff on the latest surveying and geospatial technologies.   This MoU underscores PolyU’s commitment to impactful research and further strengthens Hong Kong’s leadership in geomatics and smart city development.

LSGI Scholar Highlights Preserving Hong Kong's WWII Heritage in Nanfang Daily

Professor Lai Wai-lok, Associate Head (Teaching) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) was recently interviewed by Nanfang Daily to share his project, "Unfolding Hong Kong's Lost World War II Heritage". A key focus of the project is creating immersive experiences for the public. Using advanced technologies like global navigation satellite systems and ground-based laser scanning, the team has developed 3D models that transport viewers back in time to these historical sites. “When you walk into this immersive image, it’s like being on a battlefield and experiencing history firsthand,” Lai explained. He believes that when young people see these historical sites in a tangible way, it will spark their curiosity and encourage them to ask questions about the past. “This is a good start,” he remarked, emphasizing the collective responsibility to keep history from being forgotten. Professor Lai concluded the interview by stressing the urgency of documenting these relics before they disappear entirely. “We are not doing science for science, but for inheritance,” he stated, reaffirming the project's commitment to preserving Hong Kong’s rich historical legacy. Click here for more details of the interview.

LSGI Student won ESRI Young Scholars Award 2025

Congratulations to the PolyU LSGI student - Mr. TONG Lai Yiu Jimmy has won the Esri Young Scholars Award 2025 (Individual Application). The Eris Young Scholars Award 2025 is a competition aimed at recognising exemplary work in geospatial sciences and the creative use of applications for a smarter Hong Kong.  The awarded project titled “Assessing Rooftop Solar Energy Potentials in Hong Kong” aims to enhance rooftop solar energy assessment in Hong Kong by developing a GIS-based framework and algorithms to improve the accuracy of estimation models. It investigates the spatial-temporal patterns of solar energy potential across different districts and land-use categories, as well as the influence of cloud cover on solar radiation received by rooftops. Additionally, the research explores the relationship between rooftop solar energy potential and urban building morphology, including factors such as building density, height, and roof area. It also evaluates the benefits of rooftop solar energy in terms of energy savings, carbon reduction, and economic value. The findings indicate that over 90% of rooftop solar projects yield profitable returns, with more than 60% achieving an economic payback period of six years. This research provides valuable insights for promoting green building and sustainable development in Hong Kong. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement, contributing to a sustainable future through innovative research! For more information about the project, please visit Assessing Rooftop Solar Energy Potentials in Hong Kong.

PolyU LSGI STEAM Talks for Secondary Schools Students 2026

The Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) is organizing a STEAM Talk Series with the aim of introducing daily life applications and potential developments in Geo-Informatics. The series will cover a wide range of topics, including Land Surveying, Remote Sensing, Global Positioning System (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Geographic Information Science (GIS), and Underground Utilities Imaging and Diagnosis. We are delighted to invite all secondary schools to participate in our STEAM Talk Series in 2026. STEAM Talk Series Topics: Smart City and 3D Mapping in HK (智慧城巿及三維地圖的應用) Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Smart City Applications (全球導航衛星系統與智慧城市應用) Unfolding HK Lost WWII and Cultural Heritage with Geo-spatial Science (尋找隱世二戰及文化遺跡：地理空間科學篇) Problem Solving by Digital Maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) (以數字地圖和地理訊息系統解難) Seeing and Unseen Underground Utilities in 3D (三維地下管線測量) Observing and Measuring the Earth from Space (從太空觀測地球) IoT and Remote Sensing for Tree Monitoring (如何利用IoT及遙感技術監測城市樹木) Date:   From October 2025 to July 2026 (exact date to be suggested by school) Target audience:   S.1 – S.6 Students (both Art and Science students are welcome) Medium:   Cantonese or English Venue:   Secondary School or PolyU (a lab tour to be arranged at PolyU) Speaker:   Academic Staff from the Department of LSGI Please click here to know more the description for the STEAM talk topics. Interested parties please fill in the online application form to indicate your preference of talk. For any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Anna Choi at 3400 8158 or anna.choi@polyu.edu.hk. Please find more about LSGI at our Facebook or Youtube channel.  LSGI Undergraduate Programme in 2026/27 BSc (Hons) Scheme in Spatial Data Science and Smart Cities (JS3130)

PolyU researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise with 90 mm surge over past 30 years

The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilised advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993-2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise. Their research further indicates that GMSL has been increasing at an average rate of approximately 3.3 mm per year with a notable acceleration observed, highlighting the growing severity of climate change. The research findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. GMSL is primarily driven by two factors: the thermal expansion of seawater — as the oceans absorb around 90% of the excess heat in the Earth’s climate system — and the increase in global ocean mass, which is mainly caused by the influx of freshwater from melting land ice. Therefore, long-term monitoring of global ocean mass change is essential for understanding present-day GMSL rise. A research team led by Prof. Jianli CHEN, Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and a core member of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space, together with Dr Yufeng NIE, Research Assistant Professor of LSGI and the lead and corresponding author of the research, has, for the first time, provided direct observations of global ocean mass estimates between 1993 and 2022 by utilising time-variable gravity field data derived from satellite laser ranging (SLR). In the past, scientists have relied on long-term observations from satellite altimetry to project sea-level rise. Barystatic sea level records based on satellite gravimetry only became available with the launch of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment in 2002. SLR is a traditional space geodetic technique used to accurately measure the distance between satellites and ground stations via laser ranging. However, fundamental constraints of SLR, such as the limited number of satellites and ground stations, the high altitude of the satellites (which means SLR-derived gravitational changes capture only the longest wavelengths) and the low-degree gravitational measurements, have restricted its direct application in estimating ocean mass change. To effectively utilise SLR-derived gravitational fields for accurate estimates of ocean mass change, the research team implemented an innovative forward modelling technique that tackles spatial resolution limitations by incorporating detailed geographic information of ocean-land boundaries. This approach enables long-term monitoring of global ocean mass changes. The research revealed that an increased rate of GMSL resulted in a global average sea-level rise of approximately 90 mm between 1993 and 2022, with about 60% of this rise attributable to ocean mass increase. Since around 2005,  the rise in GMSL has been primarily driven by the rapid increase in global ocean mass. This overall increase is largely driven by the accelerated melting of land ice, particularly in Greenland. Throughout the entire study period, land ice melt from polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers accounted for over 80% of the total increase in global ocean mass. Prof. Jianli Chen said, “In recent decades, climate warming has led to accelerated land ice loss, which has played an increasingly dominant role in driving global sea-level rise. Our research enables the direct quantification of global ocean mass increase and provides a comprehensive assessment of its long-term impact on sea-level budget. This offers crucial data for validating coupled climate models used to project future sea-level rise scenarios.” Dr Yufeng Niesaid, “The research showed that the ocean mass changes derived from SLR analysis align well with the total sea level changes observed by satellite altimeters, after accounting for the effect of ocean thermal expansion. This demonstrates that the traditional SLR technique can now serve as a novel and powerful tool for long-term climate change studies.” More information can be found in the Media Release (PolyU researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise with 90 mm surge over past 30 years) of PolyU.  

LSGI Partners to Advance Pipeline Robotics for Water Main Inspections in Hong Kong

The Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) at PolyU has signed a MoU with the Water Supplies Department (WSD) of HKSAR Government and Shenzhen Bwell Technology Co., Ltd. to establish the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory on 1 September 2025, located at Tsing Yi Q-Leak. This collaboration will focus on advancing pipeline robotics technologies, specifically the Intelligent Pipescope, designed for inspecting water mains. At the opening ceremony, Mr. Wong Yan Lok Roger - Director of the Water Supplies Department, pointed out that Hong Kong’s water supply network is located underground, where public facilities are densely packed. As a result, it inevitably faces a certain degree of risk of pipe bursts and leakage. The core objective of the Pipeline Robots Joint Laboratory is to independently develop advanced, multifunctional pipeline robot technology, including acoustic sensors, high-definition cameras, and positioning sensors. The Intelligent Pipescope employs advanced acoustic sensors, high-definition imaging, and AI-powered algorithms to conduct non-destructive internal inspections of pressurized water mains. AI will then be used to analyze the relevant data in order to address the unique challenges of Hong Kong’s water supply network, such as different pipe materials, high water pressure, and complex networks with many bends and branches, with the aim of reducing water leakage to below 10% by 2030. Ir Prof. Wallace Lai, Associate Head (Teaching) of LSGI, explained the mechanisms by which pipeline robots detect water leaks and shared insights into advanced utility inspection and innovative methodologies. Over the next two years, LSGI researchers will focus on developing pipeline robotics technologies tailored to Hong Kong’s high-density urban environment, building upon existing models from Bwell. This project not only enhances operational efficiency but also paves the way for future advancements in water quality monitoring, reinforcing the commitment to urban water security. The partnership exemplifies LSGI’s dedication to impactful research and innovation in sustainable infrastructure.   Following the announcement and subsequent media coverage, Ir Prof Wallace Lai was interviewed by RTHK Radio 3 on 15 September 2025 regarding the partnership. You may listen to the RTHK Backchat interview on ‘Smart Pipes’ by clicking here.   Online coverage: TVB - http://polyu.me/3JFpjXK Now TV - https://polyu.me/41vEE3b RTHK - https://polyu.me/4g6u2xK CRHK - https://polyu.me/3VtUdou Metro Radio - https://polyu.me/46gCw1Y SCMP - https://polyu.me/46ivWbe Hong Kong Economic Journal - http://polyu.me/4ngwt3j Hong Kong Economic Times - http://polyu.me/45YaMxJ Sing Tao Daily - http://polyu.me/3UWkj3s Headline Daily - http://polyu.me/427RdSo Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4lV4eG7 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/427AxdR Lion Rock Daily - https://polyu.me/4mAJvsi HK01 - https://polyu.me/42bnGau Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4pkiuLJ (English); http://polyu.me/3Vr5HJk (Chinese) Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4p3lvzI Orange News - https://polyu.me/3VuvGzC Passion Times - https://polyu.me/4fZt3PI Line Today - https://polyu.me/3I1XCI2 Headline for HK - https://polyu.me/4g3FMAX Sina HK - http://polyu.me/45UuzhC Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/3JZcFmo  

LSGI Orientation Day 2025

On 29 August 2025, LSGI Orientation Day was held successfully at PolyU for all undergraduate and master's programme freshmen, marking an enthusiastic start to the new academic year. Prof. Wu Chen, Chair Professor of Satellite Navigation and Head of LSGI, warmly welcomed the new students and provided an insightful introduction to the department. He encouraged freshmen to delve into the diverse programmes and student development opportunities available at LSGI.  To provide clarity on their academic paths, the orientation included detailed programme introductions by the respective programme leaders: Prof. Xiao-lin Zhu for the BSc (Hons) in Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Prof. Xin-tao Liu for the MSc in Geomatics, and Prof. Qing Pei for the MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities. By fostering connections with faculty and peers, we believe this event equipped students with the insights and motivation needed to thrive in their studies and contribute positively to both the department and the broader community. We hope that all students found the orientation informative and helpful, setting the stage for a rewarding and enjoyable university life at PolyU.