Smart cities, one of PolyU’s strategic innovation domains, integrates big data analytics, remote sensing, geomatics computing, and other cutting-edge disciplines. Demonstrating its leading position in this field, PolyU recently hosted the Global Smart Cities Summit cum the 4th International Conference on Urban Informatics, aiming to advance global smart city development and urban informatics, and to provide a scientific foundation for future cities.

The three-day impactful event was co-organised by PolyU’s Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and the International Society for Urban Informatics (ISUI). It brought together over 240 speakers and more than 600 scholars and industry professionals from around the world.

The opening ceremony was officiated by PolyU members and distinguished guests, including Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President; Dr Stephen Wong, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government; Dr Otto Poon, Founder of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation and PolyU University Fellow; Professor Michael Goodchild, Member of the US National Academy of Sciences; Professor Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation); Professor Ling Kar-kan, PolyU Interim Vice President (Campus Development and Facilities); Mr Poon Kwok-ying, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services; Mr Chang Kwok-fai, Deputy Director of Lands Department (Survey and Mapping); Professor Chen Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research; Mr Robin Lee Hong-nin, Deputy Director of Drainage Services; Professor John Shi Wenzhong, Director of SCRI, President of ISUI; and Professor Li Xiangdong, PolyU Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment.

Professor Teng highlighted the urgent need for innovative and multifaceted solutions to address pressing urban challenges. He emphasised SCRI’s commitment to integrating interdisciplinary research to drive sustainable development in Hong Kong and cities worldwide.

The Conference featured keynote speeches by internationally renowned scientists, forums with government and industry leaders, innovation exhibitions, and the presentation of awards related to smart city technologies. The event served as a dynamic platform for fostering collaborations among government, industry, academia, and research sectors.

A notable partnership was established during the event, with PolyU and Glodon (Hong Kong) Software Limited signing an MoU to nurture construction talent in Hong Kong, build a robust industry ecosystem, and promote the adoption of building information modelling technology, supporting the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s construction sector.

Smart City Index 2025 launched

Professor John Shi announces the Smart City Index 2025, accompanied by Ms Fan Shi, PhD student (left), and Dr Zhang Anshu, Research Assistant Professor (right), both from the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo Informatics.

As a major highlight of the event, SCRI and ISUI jointly announced the ISUI Smart City Index 2025. Developed by a team led by Professor John Shi, the Index utilises a human-centric evaluation framework to help cities worldwide formulate sustainable development strategies. It assesses how smart city initiatives enhance the daily lives of citizens, and enables authorities to measure progress and refine strategies for a smarter, more sustainable future.

Dr Wong commented, “The Conference is a perfect demonstration of our ongoing efforts to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration with international peers. The Smart City Index developed by PolyU research team also gives us good insight into the best practices of how cities around the world serve the lived experiences, needs and wellbeing of their citizens.”

The Index evaluated 73 cities globally, with Hong Kong ranking eighth worldwide and second in Asia, excelling in the dimensions of environment, economy, and governance.

Read the report of the Smart City Index 2025 here.