PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA of The University of British Columbia, Canada delivers “Toward Carbon-Neutral Cities: Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks for Green Infrastructure”
PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series
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Date
17 Dec 2025
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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Time
14:30 - 16:00
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Venue
Senate Room (M1603), 16/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, PolyU (Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis) Map
Speaker
Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Summary
Abstract
Structural resilience and carbon-neutrality are among the most pressing challenges facing modern society. Achieving sustainable and resilient infrastructure requires not only the adoption of materials with low embodied carbon but also the development of advanced methods for monitoring, management, and decision-making throughout the life cycle of built assets. There is now a universal consensus that continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure through sensors and cyber-physical systems (CPS) is an essential enabler for both low-carbon infrastructure management and disaster resilience.
This presentation provides a comprehensive exposition on the integration of sensors within the built environment, focusing on how sensor-based data and intelligent systems can support sustainability and resilience objectives. The discussion is organized into six key thematic areas:
- Carbon Emission and the Built Environment – Examining the contribution of construction and operation to global carbon emissions and the need for data-driven mitigation strategies.
- Digital Economy, Monitored Smart and Green Cities – Exploring how sensor networks underpin the digital economy and enable the transition toward smart, energy-efficient urban systems.
- Sensors for Operational Monitoring, Comfort, and Carbon Reduction – Highlighting how environmental and occupancy sensors can optimize building performance, improve user comfort, and reduce operational carbon.
- Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), Safety, and Carbon Reduction – Discussing sensor technologies for assessing structural integrity, extending service life, and reducing embodied carbon through informed maintenance and retrofitting.
- Sensors for Resilience Monitoring and Disaster Prevention – Addressing the role of real-time monitoring and predictive analytics in anticipating and mitigating natural and human-induced hazards.
- Integrating Sensors in Areas 3–5 for Optimal Performance and Carbon Reduction – Proposing integrated frameworks that combine operational, structural, and resilience monitoring for holistic carbon management and enhanced infrastructure performance.
Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Engineering
University Killam Professor, Distinguished University Scholar, and Senior Canada Research Chair of The University of British Columbia, Canada
CEO and Scientific Director, Canada–India Research Centre of Excellence
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Cement and Concrete Composites
Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia is a University Killam Professor, Distinguished University Scholar and Canada Research Chair at The University of British Columbia. His primary area of research is in Carbon-Neutral Concrete Infrastructure and Use of Sensors for Infrastructure Management. A mentor to many, Dr Banthia has graduated over 75 doctoral and post-doctoral students. He holds 9 patents, has published over 500 refereed papers, and has edited 30 volumes. He serves on the Editorial Boards of nine international journals and is the Editor-in-Chief of the J. of Cement and Concrete Composites— a journal with a 2024 Impact Factor of 13.8. His awards include the Wason Medal of American Concrete Institute, Solutions Through Research Award of the BC Innovation Council, Wolfson Merit Award of the Royal Society of the UK, Killam Research Prize from the Killam Foundation, Horst Leipholz Medal of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Mufti Medal of Excellence of the International Society for Health Monitoring of Infrastructure, and Global Citizenship Award of alumni-UBC. In 2020, IIT-Delhi recognized him with a Distinguished Alumni Award, and March 2022, Dr Banthia received the Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize which is regarded as UBC’s premier award for research across all disciplines. Having received the Dean’s Medal of Distinction from the Faculty of Applied Science, UBC, in January 2023, UBC appointed Dr Banthia as the University Killam Professor, which is the highest honor UBC can confer on a member of its faculty.
Prof. Banthia has Distinguished Visiting Professor appointments at Princeton University, USA; Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, India; and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong.
Prof. Banthia is a fellow of the American Concrete Institute, Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Indian Concrete Institute, Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE), Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), and the Royal Society of Canada.
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