Prof. WENG is a Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and a Global STEM Professor at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where he directs Jockey Club STEM Lab of Earth Observations and Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG). Before that, he worked as the Director of the Center for Urban and Environmental Change and a Professor at Indiana State University, USA, 2001-2021.
He currently serves as an Editor-in-Chief of ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and Lead of GEO’s Global Urban Observation and Information Initiative. Prof. WENG is a Foreign Member of Academia Europaea (The Academy of Europe), and an elected Fellow of IEEE, AAAS, AAG, ASPRS, and AAIA. He has been honored with distinguished career awards that include NASA senior fellowship, AAG Distinguished Scholarship Honors Award, Taylor & Francis Lifetime Achievements Award, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Short-term S[E]) Fellowship, and AAG Lifetime Achievement in Remote Sensing Award by Remote Sensing Specialty Group.
WENG’s research focuses on remote sensing and geospatial AI applications to urban environmental and ecological systems, urbanization impacts, urban climate and sustainability.
Topic 1: Urban visual-spatial intelligence: linking human and sensor perception for sustainable urban development
Urban Visual-Spatial Intelligence (UVSI) integrates human perception with sensor data to advance sustainable urban development. By combining Earth observation, AI, and geospatial analytics, UVSI captures complex city dynamics at multiple scales. This approach fuses satellite imagery, street-level data, and crowd-sourced information, enabling real-time monitoring and adaptive urban management.
UVSI bridges the gap between technological solutions and lived experiences, supporting inclusive and responsive city planning. Field trials show improved traffic flow, pollution control, and public space use. Scalable and interoperable, UVSI provides a foundation for smart and equitable cities.
Topic 2: How will AI transform urban observing, sensing, imaging, and mapping?
The integration of artificial intelligence and Earth observation is advancing urban studies by enabling deeper interpretation and autonomous identification of urban issues. Urban sensing technologies have evolved from aerial and satellite imagery to UAVs, street-level images, and geo-tagged data, shifting research focus from pixel-based to human-centric analysis. Artificial intelligence, particularly deep learning, extracts complex patterns from diverse sources such as images, text, and social media, supporting smarter urban mapping, real-time risk detection, and customized city planning.
Our research shows that artificial intelligence-driven data fusion from satellites, drones, ground sensors, and participatory sensing provides a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of urban environments. This approach enhances real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities. Challenges remain in integrating heterogeneous geospatial data, ensuring data security, and developing unified analytical frameworks. Continued innovation in artificial intelligence-powered urban observation will be essential for sustainable urban development.
Topic 3: Heat wave indices for identifying dangerous heat wave outdoor conditions
Heat waves are intensifying worldwide, causing significant health and economic impacts. Identifying dangerous heat wave conditions is challenging due to varying regional thresholds and the influence of both temperature and humidity. Traditional indices often overlook the combined effects of meteorological factors, leading to under- or overestimation of risk.
Our team evaluated six heat wave indices, including maximum air temperature, humidity index, humidex, wet bulb globe temperature, lethal heat stress index, and universal thermal climate index, using recent heat wave events in Asia, Europe, and the United States. We found that the lethal heat stress index is more effective in identifying dangerous conditions in low humidity environments, highlighting the need for region-specific approaches. Our results emphasize the importance of selecting suitable indices and updating thresholds to improve heat wave detection and protect outdoor workers and vulnerable populations as global temperatures continue to rise.
About RCAIG and JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations:
The RCAIG was established as a joint effort between five academic departments in three faculties at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The RCAIG focuses on developing innovative Al technologies for solving environmental and societal challenges in geomatics, with the vision of becoming a global R&D hub in GeoAl. Our main research areas include: (1) GeoAI, (2) urban climate and environment, and (3) urban ecology and sustainable development. We are committed to creating an interdisciplinary research environment and fostering a culture of innovation.
The JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations is a joint effort of PolyU, Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and Hong Kong SAR Government to support the "Global STEM Professorship Scheme". The laboratory focuses on the development of original and innovative Earth Observation (EO) methodologies and technologies and their applications for studies of the causes, effects, and responses to environmental and societal challenges in cities and urban areas, with the goal of becoming a global research hub in EO.
For more information:
RCAIG Website: https://rcaig.com/
PolyU Website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/academicians/our-academicians/weng-qihao/
