PolyU has established the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI), a pioneering strategic research institute focused on global climate change, with the staunch support of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation. The Research Institute aims to be a global leader in the research and development of resilient and sustainable solutions for urban areas and rural communities, mitigating the challenges brought about by global climate change. PolyU held an Opening Ceremony and Forum on 2 April 2025 at Hotel ICON, which drew nearly 300 participants, including faculty members, students and industry experts.

 

RICRI brings together a distinguished collaborative network of renowned experts from Mainland institutions, including Tsinghua University, Nanjing University and Beijing Normal University, alongside Hong Kong government departments and industry partners. The Research Institute will serve as an interdisciplinary research platform to build an effective and integrated scientific think tank, aiming to foster deep integration across government, industry, academia and research for the advancement and application of sustainable development in Hong Kong, the Nation and the world.

 

RICRI is led by Prof. Xiang-dong LI, PolyU Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development. The Institute focuses on four key research areas: climate change and extreme weather, urban infrastructure and resilience, rural community and disaster mitigation, and climate-resilient policy and implementation.

 

The establishment of RICRI further strengthens PolyU’s research capabilities in climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience, advancing the pursuit of sustainable development.

 

RICRI will offer research schemes and funding support in the field of climate-resilient infrastructure, including the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Distinguished Lecture Series (CRIDLS), the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Fellowship (CRIF) and the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Scheme (CRIRS).