News

Summer Exchange and Study Tour from LSGI Partner Universities

During June – July 2019, three LSGI’s partner universities Wuhan University, China University of Mining and Technology and National Cheng Kung University arranged in total 60 students to take part in LSGI summer semesters programme. Besides four weeks undergraduate courses, visits to facilities and different laboratories of LSGI and student sharing were conducted. Students also had the opportunity to take part in the 2 nd International Conference on Urban Informatics, ICUI on 24 June. Students not only can learn from classes, also can understand LSGI’s research development and strength. Prof. John Shi, Head of LSGI, gave a warm greeting and introduction of department to all visiting students.     In the meantime, 19 students were having 4 weeks summer exchange to Wuhan University and National Cheng Kung University. This is the first year of large scale summer exchanges between LSGI and partner universities. We look forward to see more collaborations and different level of exchanges among four universities in the future.   

LSGI scholar received awards from Canadian Academic Society and Institute

We are pleased to share that Dr. Wai Yeung Yan, Assistant Professor of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, was awarded with the 2020 Bronze Medal Award by the Canadian Remote Sensing Society (CRSS) and the 2020 Dean’s Teaching Award by his former university, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada regarding his outstanding achievements in research and teaching, respectively. The CRSS Bronze Medal Award was established as an early-career achievement award to recognize emerging excellence in remote sensing in Canada. Dr. Yan was granted with the medal with respect to his contributions in “airborne LiDAR data correction, normalization and classification”. He was also the sole recipient of the Dean’s Teaching Award - Contract Lecturers (CUPE 1 and 2), granted by the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science of his former university regarding his dedication and innovation in teaching both inside and outside the classroom.

PolyU STEM Day 2018 Dec 18

To promote education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the PolyU STEM day was held for local secondary school students and their teachers on 18 December 2018. Organized by the Secondary School Relations Section of PolyU and supported by the government’s Education Bureau (EDB), the event was officiated by Mr Kam Kwong Lee, Principal Assistant Secretary (School Development) of EDB. Prof. Daniel Shek, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), delivered a welcome address at the opening ceremony, which was followed by a keynote speech from Prof. Kwok-yin Wong, Associate Vice President (Research Support). In attendance were Mr Richard Leung, Council member of PolyU, Prof. Xiaoli Ding, Associate Dean (Partnership) of the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE) and Chair Professor of LSGI. Various activities were conducted on the STEM Day, including different lectures and sharing sessions of research experiences, as well as tours and workshops on STEM subjects. Ir Dr Wallace Lai from LSGI provided a talk on undergraduate programmes of the Faculty. A STEM workshop on satellite image processing was delivered by Dr Matthew Pang. The visiting students and teachers were also given tours laboratories of LSGI, namely, the Smart City Lab and the Underground Utility Survey Laboratory. Consultation sessions on further studies were conducted from the all faculties and schools of PolyU. The event was well-received by 400 students and teachers in attendance.

A New Book Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping

A New Book "Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping" Published by Taylor & Francis A new book "Planetary Remote Sensing and Mapping" has been published by Taylor & Francis Group/CRC Press. Edited by Dr Bo Wu (PolyU LSGI), Kaichang Di (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Jürgen Oberst (German Aerospace Center), and Irina Karachevtseva (Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography), this book offers new insights and timely updates on the research and developments in planetary remote sensing and mapping. The early 21st century marks a new era in space exploration. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States, The European Space Agency (ESA), as well as space agencies of Japan, China, India, and other countries have sent their probes to the Moon, Mars, and other planets in the solar system. This book introduces original research and new developments in the areas of planetary remote sensing, photogrammetry, mapping, GIS, and planetary science resulted from the recent space exploration missions. The book includes the following sections: • Reference systems of planetary bodies • Planetary exploration missions and sensors • Geometric information extraction from planetary remote sensing data • Feature information extraction from planetary remote sensing data • Planetary remote sensing data fusion • Planetary data management and presentation The book serves scientists and professionals working in the planetary remote sensing and mapping areas, as well as for planetary probe designers, engineers, and planetary geologists and geophysicists. It also provides useful reading material for university teachers and students in the broader areas of remote sensing, photogrammetry, cartography, GIS, and geodesy etc.

Result of LSGI Outstanding Alumni Award 2018

Mr. Ray Leung Kin-wah, one of the first graduates from the 1-year block-release certificate course and the 2-year part-time day release higher certificate course in land surveying offered by the former Division of Construction and Land Use, the then Hong Kong Polytechnic, in 1981 and 1984 respectively. In 1998, he completed the modular post-graduate schemes and was awarded the degree of MSc in Geo-Information Systems by LSGI. Mr. Leung has been the Assistant Director of Lands Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since December 2015. He served at the Land Surveyors Registration Committee since 2015 and was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 2017. Mr. Leung joined the Government in 1980 as Survey Officer Trainee and worked as Assistant Land Surveyor in 1989. Over his 38-year-experience in the Government, Mr. Leung made significant contributions to both Government and the surveying profession. He has served in various government departments covering a wide range of land surveying functions including the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Highways Department and now the Lands Department. Mr. Leung is a strong advocate for the development of Geographic Information System (GIS) in Hong Kong. He had active participation in the development of the Computerised Land Information System of the Lands Department in 1995 followed by revamping of the system to the Land Information System in 2008. Mr. Leung is assuredly a role model for our LSGI students and graduates, showcasing how LSGI education shines the way leading to a professional career in the Government. Congratulations to Mr. Leung!

24th Congregation 2018

Prof. You-Lin Xu, Dean of FCE, officiated the ceremony, which not only awarded degrees to graduating students of Higher Diploma, Bachelor degree and Master degree, but also prizes to outstanding staff and alumni of LSGI. Dr Lei Zhang and Dr Yang Xu received the LSGI Awards for Excellent Performance / Achievement in teaching for 2017/18 while Dr Zhu Xiaolin received the Faculty Teaching (Individual) Award. Prof. Wu Chen and Prof. John Shi received Dean’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Research Funding. The recipients of 2018 LSGI Outstanding Alumni Awards was Mr Ray Leung Kin-wah, JP, Deputy Director of Lands Department, HKSAR Governemnt. It was our honor to have the guests of honour Prof. Qingquan Li, President of Shenzhen University, addressed the Congregation. LSGI graduate representative, Ms Ma Ki, delivered the valedictory speech to give heartfelt thanks to all professors, teachers, parents and students. It was special occasion for all who attended to remember.

Call for Abstract for the 2nd International Conference 2019

Following the success of the first International Conference on Urban Informatics (ICUI) in 2017, the Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics (LSGI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is proud to host the Second ICUI at PolyU during 24-26 June 2019. The conference aims to provide a platform for leading scientists, engineers, practitioners, young scholars, and researchers from Hong Kong, the region, and the world to share their interests in Urban Informatics, as well as potentially contribute to the publication of a Special issue of Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science. The occasion will focus on topics in (1) Urban Science and Systems,(2) Urban Sensing, (3) Urban Big Data Infrastructure, (4) Urban Computing, and (5) Urban Problems and Possible Solutions. A Post-Conference workshop and visit to enterprises of urban informatics and related industries will be jointly organized with the Shenzhen University. On behalf of the Organization Committee of ICUI 2019, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to join the conference with LSGI’s Distinguished Chair Professors Michael Goodchild and Michael Batty and submit the abstract for your latest research discoveries related to the following theme sections via the Online Submission System .   Some of Keynote Speakers Prof. Michael F. GOODCHILD, Emeritus Professor of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara Prof. Michael BATTY, Bartlett Professor of Planning, University College London Prof. Anthony G.O. YEH, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chair Professor of Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong Prof. Chenghu ZHOU, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Research Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources, CAS; Director of the State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environment Information System Prof. Qingquan LI, President, Shenzhen University   Organized by: Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgi/icui2019/ Enquiry: +852-3400 8158 (Ms Anna Choi) Email: icui.2019@polyu.edu.hk   Guidelines for Submission Abstracts (1,200 words or more and in Microsoft Word format, please refer to the template) should be submitted electronically via the Online Submission System for review by the Organizing Committee. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by email. Please find the “Important Dates” below. Authors of selected abstracts will be invited to submit a full paper. Those papers will be further reviewed and; if accepted, will be published in a Special issue of Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science. Important Dates Deadline for abstract submission: 15 January, 2019 Notice of acceptance by email: 15 February, 2019 Early bird registration: 15 February, 2019 - 15 May, 2019 Submission of contribution to the special issues of Environment and Planning B (for invited authors): 15 June, 2019 We look forward to meeting you at the ICUI 2019!  

LSGI Distinguished Chair Professor, Prof. Mei-po Kwan, Elected to UK Academy of Social Sciences

Prof. Mei Po Kwan, Distinguished Chair Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and GeoInformatics (LSGI) and Professor of Geography and Geographic Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been elected a Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences, the national academy of academics and practitioners in the social sciences in the United Kingdom. Fellows are elected after an extensive process of peer review for the excellence and impact of their work through the use of social science for public benefit. This includes substantial contributions and leadership in various fields, including higher education, social, economic and environmental policy, government, law, charitable foundations and think tanks. According to the Academy, Prof. Kwan has made significant contributions to theory, methods and practice in urban, geographic information science, mobility and health research. As distinguished scholars and practitioners from academia and the public and private sectors, Fellows were previously known as Academicians. This was changed in July 2014 to bring the Academy in line with other British learned societies.

LSGI Delegation to Wuhan Remote Sensing Week

From 13 to 17 October 2018, a delegation of staff and students from the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) participated in the Remote Sensing Week at Wuhan University which ranks the top in the world in the discipline of Remote Sensing according to Shanghai Ranking. Two major conferences on “National Geographical Conditions Monitoring and Applications” and “Advanced Remote Sensing” were being held. Two keynote speeches were delivered by Prof. John Shi, Head of LSGI, and Prof. Meipo Kwan, Distinguished Chair Professor of LSGI. LSGI academics gave four presentations and the latest research development in Remote Sensing were shared. About 200 people were in attendance. Academic visits were also conducted to i) School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering and ii) the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing were conducted. In which, research areas of LSGI were introduced and discussions on potential research collaborations between two universities were covered. In addition to exchanges between LSGI students and their mainland counterparts, there were tours of the Wuhan university campus and some historic buildings in the city. It was a rewarding trip for all concerned. Below are some of students’ reflections from the trip: Yip Cho Yui, Year 3 “The remote sensing week has covered a wide angle of topics, such as remote sensing on human behavioural science, resource management and spatial big data, which is so aspiring to see how remote sensing is shaping our future for monitoring social issues and reaction to natural hazards, it is all about improving the life quality and safety of our citizens. It would be so excited to participate my future career to this ever-changing field. Moreover, remote sensing research is so up-to-date and new breaks through are coming up as technology and researches evolved. I cannot believe how quick pace and fast-growing this industry is evolving towards. Rarely could we have a chance to attend such a high quality conference, I feel that students or ordinary people would still benefits.”   Yeung Ling Yuk, Year 3 “I cannot wait to attend to those conferences and acquired those astonishing speeches from those international wellknown professors and scholars. Although some of the topics are quite advanced and beyond my understanding on remote sensing, I still reckoned this trip is worthy to attempt. Additionally, Wuhan is a city with antique beauty because of its plentiful and splendid historic backgrounds. The combination of ancient and modern buildings made Wuhan becomes one of the best-view cities in China.” Wong Tin Wai Phoebe, PhD student “The study trip was great that we all had an enjoyable time in Wuhan. The talks delivered by the professors were inspiring and I have more new ideas for my coming research. I look forward to more opportunities to visit other universities.”

Kick-off Forum of the Development of Test/Survey Methods and Specifications for Underground Utility Survey

Underground pipe burst? Pipe leak? How often are these problems heard in the spiderweb underground in Hong Kong? In first half 2018, there are 13 cases reported in public media, those not appeared in public media are estimated to be at least 30 times more. Funded by ITF General Support Scheme and Sum Kee Construction Ltd, as well as support by 4 Government departments and MTR, Ir Dr. Wallace Lai from Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) hosted a public kick-off forum on 31 August 2018, announcing the start of a two-year project for establishing a set of utility survey specification for accreditation. The $1.37M project is entitled ‘Development of Specifications and Standards for Underground Utility (UU) Survey based on Nondestructive Testing, Surveying, Imaging and Diagnostic (NDTSID) Approaches’. The forum attracted 78 participants from 29 units including Government, utility stakeholders, service providers, and commercial lab. The project represents an effort of knowledge transfer from basic/applied research to practical use in Hong Kong and elsewhere. LSGI will take the lead in this project and will conduct rounds of consultation, reaching consensus of the specifications for procurement by the Government and various utility stakeholders. By the end of the project, six NDTSID approaches will become accreditable by Hong Kong Accreditation Services under the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) of the Government, the first attempt and showcase to the world. It is believed that the deliverables will benchmark the expected and practically viable standards of the NDTSID technologies in underground utility sector.