A project led by researchers from PolyU aims to uncover Hong Kong’s hidden history using advanced geospatial technologies. Granted HK$3.22 million from the Innovation and Technology Fund, the two-year initiative, “Antiquity and Heritage Lost, Found and Revealed”, is led by Professor Wallace Lai Wai-lok, Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics. The project seeks to identify and document wartime relics and cultural antiquities in Hong Kong, utilising techniques such as laser scanning and geophysical methods.

In collaboration with local historians and institutions including National Geographic, the team has already revealed stories from five heritage sites, including the Gin Drinkers Line; Mount Davis Battery, the East Brigade Headquarters in Tai Tam; Pokfulam Village and the Old Dairy Farm; Fan Lau Fort on Lantau Island, and Tung Chung Fort. To promote technology-driven historical interpretation and STEAM education, the PolyU team will provide educational programmes, including field visits to cultural and wartime heritage sites in Hong Kong, seminars, interactive workshops, and immersive exhibitions.

Professor Lai emphasised the project’s goal of preserving cultural legacies while igniting passion for learning in future generations. The initiative leverages PolyU’s advanced facilities like the Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment (HiVE) and 3D printing to enhance immersive learning experiences.

Expanding beyond Hong Kong, the team recently conducted a 3D-scanning expedition in Malacca, Malaysia, to document colonial architecture. This initiative not only enriches historical understanding but also fosters an innovation culture and public appreciation for technological advancements in heritage conservation.

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Ming Pao Daily News