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RCAIG Conducts Guangxi Mangrove Fieldwork in Beihai and Fangchenggang

From 21–29 July 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) conducted fieldwork in the mangrove ecosystems of Beihai and Fangchenggang, Guangxi. The fieldwork covered several important coastal wetland areas, including the Shankou National Nature Reserve and the Beilun Estuary National Nature Reserve. Mangrove forests are among the most valuable coastal ecosystems, providing essential ecological functions such as shoreline protection, biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision for marine and terrestrial species. However, these ecosystems are increasingly affected by climate change, coastal development, sea-level rise, and other human disturbances. Accurate monitoring and assessment are therefore critical for supporting mangrove conservation and sustainable coastal management.    During the fieldwork, the RCAIG team conducted a series of integrated observations using both remote sensing and ground-based techniques. These included unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys, handheld LiDAR scanning, mangrove health monitoring, close-range field observations, and coastal wetland ecosystem surveys. UAV imagery was collected to obtain high-resolution information on mangrove canopy cover, spatial distribution, and landscape patterns. Handheld LiDAR scanning was used to capture detailed three-dimensional structural characteristics of mangrove vegetation, including canopy architecture and stand structure. Field observations further provided important information on mangrove species, vegetation condition, habitat characteristics, and surrounding environmental conditions.     The data collected during this fieldwork will provide essential ground-truth information for supporting AI-driven geomatics research, remote sensing data interpretation, and coastal wetland ecosystem monitoring. By integrating field measurements, UAV observations, LiDAR data, and artificial intelligence methods, RCAIG aims to develop more accurate and efficient approaches for mapping, assessing, and monitoring mangrove ecosystems.    This fieldwork also strengthens RCAIG’s ongoing research efforts in environmental remote sensing, intelligent geospatial analysis, and nature-based solutions for coastal conservation. The outcomes are expected to contribute to improved understanding of mangrove ecosystem structure and health, while supporting scientific decision-making for mangrove protection and sustainable coastal wetland management.

Monthly Workshop Highlights of July 2026: Research Progress at RCAIG

On July 31, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held its monthly academic workshop. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Director of RCAIG, and chaired by Dr. Ali Ismaeel, Research Assistant Professor, the workshop brought together the Centre’s Research Assistant Professors, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Ph.D. students for research sharing, academic exchange, and discussion of their ongoing work across climate, urban systems, and geospatial artificial intelligence.  A major strand of the workshop focused on how climate change is reshaping ecosystems, renewable energy resilience, and coastal risks. Dr. Farhan Saleem reviewed studies on climate-change-driven extreme events and identified key research frontiers for multivariate extremes in lake systems under a warming climate. Dr. Peiyi Yin explored mechanisms underlying phenological changes in the Northern Hemisphere over the past two decades. Dr. Rui Sun presented updated fire-history trajectory results and a new modeling framework for fire-effect estimation and regional attribution. Dr. Kalingga Titon Nur Ihsan assessed global storage and backup capacity for photovoltaic installations under current and future climate scenarios. Dr. Binbin Li explored the use of ICESat-2 and other remote sensing datasets to assess future seawater inundation risks and potentially affected land areas and populations in major global river deltas.  Urban environments formed another important focus of the workshop, linking studies of local climate, thermal comfort, and population patterns. Dr. Ali Ismaeel presented a high-resolution UTCI mapping framework for modeling human thermal comfort. Mr. Xin Li discussed how landscape patterns influence surface warming and cooling. Mr. Weipeng Lu examined population-building patterns across East Asian megacities and different urban–rural gradients in the Greater Bay Area of China.  Another central thread of the workshop focused on geospatial AI and its applications in urban environments. Mr. Ziyun Yan discussed how to construct a geospatial foundation model grounded in Earth system physics rather than relying merely on adapted computer vision techniques. Dr. Xihong Lian proposed a multi-task learning model for urban tree recognition and established a multidimensional representation framework for spatial features. Dr. Yijie Wu shared progress on developing self-supervised embedding representations of urban block 3D morphology using airborne LiDAR point clouds. Mr. Xi Chen introduced a Hong Kong-specific intelligent transportation dataset and a semi-supervised vehicle detection framework.  Throughout the workshop, Prof. Qihao Weng provided invaluable guidance, steering the academic discussion and offering key insights on each presentation. His constructive feedback helped the researchers refine their methodologies and strengthen their theoretical frameworks.  Overall, the workshop underscored RCAIG’s commitment to fostering scientific innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. By bringing together advanced Earth observation techniques, geospatial AI, and environmental physics, the Centre continues to push the boundaries of geomatics to address critical global challenges in climate change, urbanization, and sustainability. 

RCAIG Monthly Workshop (June): Advancing Frontiers in GeoAI, Climate Resilience, and Urban Sustainability

On June 30, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) held its monthly academic workshop. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Director of RCAIG, and chaired by Dr. Pir Mohammad, Research Assistant Professor, the workshop served as a vibrant platform to showcase the Centre’s latest research achievements.   The workshop featured highly advanced methodologies and theoretical insights from the Centre's Research Assistant Professor and Postdoctoral Fellows, who addressed complex physical, environmental, and computational challenges. Dr. Pir Mohammad investigated the non-linear relationships between the seasonal and diurnal Surface Urban Heat Island (SUHI) effect and six distinct thematic variable groups. Dr. Chouaib El Hachimi reviewed the current geospatial foundation models (GFMs), proposed a promising framework to enhance physical consistency and interpretability, and presented his evaluation of applying GFMs to informal settlement mapping in Africa. Dr. Baoling Gui re-examined the "trading space for time" paradigm, proposing that researchers must convert spatial equilibrium differences into real-time transient responses through precise temporal corrections, rather than directly equating spatial differences with temporal changes. Dr. Haider Abbas presented projections on how compound humid heat risks evolve across different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5), demonstrating that future risks are shaped not only by event frequency but also by how they unfold temporally.  The PhD students at RCAIG demonstrated exceptional creativity and technical rigor across a wide range of applications in geospatial AI, ecological modelling, coastal monitoring, and urban sustainability. Ms. Qianbao Hou proposed an innovative, safe, and self-evolving geospatial agent framework for post-disaster resident actionability, which optimises facility-route planning in unseen cities by querying real-time spatial evidence and learning from spatial feedback. Ms. Mengying Cao shared her latest progress in disentangling the complex phenological responses of Arctic vegetation to rapid climate warming. Mr. Hamza Mukhtar demonstrated that delayed spring onset at higher elevations is associated with reduced vegetation productivity, whereas delayed autumn generally enhances productivity in these ecosystems. Mr. Longjie Ye introduced a deep learning framework incorporating a Gaussian loss function to predict mangrove canopy height while systematically quantifying associated prediction uncertainties. Mr. Zhixing Chen presented his research on estimating mobility-related carbon emissions across global cities and identifying the key driving factors behind these emissions. Ms. Wanru He presented her recent progress on the co-amplification of climate and social vulnerabilities, highlighting the methodological and modelling innovations in her assessment framework.  Throughout the workshop, Prof. Qihao Weng actively guided the academic discussions, providing in-depth and constructive feedback on each presentation. This monthly workshop series continues to serve as an invaluable platform for RCAIG researchers to refine their methodologies, exchange innovative ideas, and drive forward-looking research in Geomatics and GeoAI. By fostering such a collaborative and intellectually rigorous environment, RCAIG remains committed to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders and developing data-driven, space-time solutions to address the world's most pressing environmental and societal challenges. 

Prof. Qihao Weng Elected as Prestigious ISPRS Fellow in 2026

The Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) is thrilled to announce that our Director, Prof. Qihao Weng, has been elected as a Fellow of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) in 2026. This prestigious honor is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated sustained, exceptional service to the Society and its core missions. With a strict limit of no more than five Fellows elected globally at any ISPRS General Assembly, this recognition represents a highly selective and outstanding milestone that reflects Prof. Weng’s global scientific leadership and profound impact on the geospatial community.  As a Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and a Global STEM Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Prof. Weng has dedicated his career to pioneering advancements in remote sensing and geospatial AI. Under his leadership, RCAIG has flourished as a hub for cutting-edge research. His personal research contributions have fundamentally shaped the fields of urban remote sensing, urban climate studies, and AI-driven Earth observation, offering crucial data-driven solutions for sustainable urban development worldwide.  This latest fellowship adds to an already distinguished list of international accolades. Prof. Weng is a Foreign Member of Academia Europaea and an elected Fellow of several of the world's most prestigious scientific organizations, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Association of Geographers (AAG), the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), and the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA). Furthermore, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of the ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and Lead of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)’s Global Urban Observation and Information Initiative, actively contributing to the development of the field.  The entire RCAIG team and the PolyU community extend their warmest congratulations to Prof. Weng on this well-deserved recognition. His visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of academic excellence continue to inspire our researchers and students as we work together to push the boundaries of Geomatics and GeoAI.

Exploring Forest Ecosystems and Geo-Dynamics: Prof. Qihao Weng Conducts Field Expedition to Changbai Mountains

From June 21 to 22, Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), conducted a scientific field expedition to Changbai Mountains, located in Jilin Province, Northeast China. The trip focused on investigating forest ecosystems and the region’s distinct vertical zonation of vegetation, providing valuable first-hand insights into biodiversity and complex ecological gradients.  A major highlight of the expedition was a site visit to the Changbai Mountains Canopy Crane Observation System, a core facility of the Chinese National Ecosystem Research Network (CNERN). This state-of-the-art research platform enables high-resolution, multidimensional monitoring of forest canopy dynamics. During the visit, Professor Weng engaged in detailed exchanges with resident experts and local forest rangers. Discussions centred on the progress of China’s Natural Forest Protection Program, forest health assessment, and innovative remote sensing and management strategies for optimising forest structures and biodiversity.  The expedition concluded with visits to the iconic Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)—a majestic crater lake situated on the border of China and North Korea—and the unique Valley Bottom Forest (Gudi Senlin). Exploring these pristine and diverse forest landscapes offered further invaluable observations of the region’s rich natural heritage.  This field expedition aligns closely with RCAIG’s core mission to integrate cutting-edge Earth observation technologies with in situ ecological insights. By bridging the gap between direct field observations and advanced remote sensing methodologies, RCAIG continues to drive innovation in forest ecology, carbon sequestration monitoring, and climate change adaptation.  

Fostering Young GeoAI Talents: Professor Qihao Weng Serves as Guest of Honour and Judge at HK AI+ GIS Youth Challenge 2026

On June 26, 2026, Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), participated in the HK AI+ GIS Youth Challenge 2026: Shaping a Smarter City at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organised by Esri China (HK) and GIS Academy, and co-organised by the “Map In Learning” program and the Smart City Consortium, the challenge centres on “GeoAI + Smart City” and invites students to integrate geography, data science, and artificial intelligence.  Professor Weng was invited as a Guest of Honour and a member of the judging panel. He delivered an encouraging speech to secondary school students, highlighting the growing importance of geospatial technologies. In his remarks, he emphasized the value of integrating geography, data science, and artificial intelligence to address real-world urban challenges. He also evaluated the finalist teams’ smart city proposals, observing how young students applied advanced tools, including ArcGIS Pre-trained Deep Learning Models and spatial data from Hong Kong’s Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) portal, to generate meaningful urban insights.  The student projects showcased during the ceremony closely aligned with RCAIG’s research focus on urban environmental monitoring and disaster mitigation. The winning teams demonstrated sophisticated applications of ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Living Atlas, and GeoAI models to address pressing local issues. Notably, the Champion and First Runner-up teams from The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) presented projects on Hong Kong's urban heat island effect, soil erosion, and landslide risks, while the Second Runner-up team from Kowloon Sam Yuk Secondary School focused on mapping community climate shelters and identifying high-risk heatstroke zones.  Professor Weng’s participation in the event underscores RCAIG’s commitment to fostering STEM education and spatial literacy among the next generations. Through its support for such educational initiatives, RCAIG continues to promote the translation of advanced geospatial technologies from academic research into practical, community-driven solutions, helping nurture future geospatial innovators for a more resilient and sustainable smart city. 

Professor Qihao Weng Delivers Keynote on GeoAI at International Forest Remote Sensing Workshop

From June 19 to June 22, 2026, Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), delivered a keynote address at the International Workshop on Practical Applications of Forest Remote Sensing in Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China. The workshop brought together leading researchers and young scientists to discuss recent developments in forest remote sensing.   Professor Weng’s talk, "Reciprocal Evolution of AI and Earth Observation," reviewed how artificial intelligence and remote sensing technologies have advanced together and examined the current development and future trajectory of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). Professor Weng also highlighted emerging trends in real-time sensing, advanced imaging technologies, and next-generation data processing methodologies. The presentation sparked lively discussions, particularly among young scholars and students, and received highly positive feedback for its forward-looking insights.   Professor Weng’s participation in this workshop underscores RCAIG’s ongoing commitment to advancing ecosystems remote sensing research and fostering international scientific collaboration.

Fostering Innovation: TIRAIN Science & Technology Delegation Visits RCAIG

On June 24, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was pleased to host a delegation from TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. The visitors included Ms. Li Chen, CEO; Mr. Yinggui Deng, Deputy General Manager; and Mr. Haiming Song, Technical Director.  Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, warmly welcomed the delegation together with distinguished colleagues, including Sr. Ben Chan Siu-bun, former Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department; and RCAIG members Dr. Yijie Wu and Ms. Yuhan Zhou. The visit featured an engaging exchange on how universities, industry, and government can work together to advance geospatial information development in Hong Kong. The discussions focused on shared visions, collaboration opportunities, and practical pathways to strengthen Hong Kong’s geomatics and GeoAI ecosystem.  About TIRAIN:  Shaanxi TIRAIN Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (for short TIRAIN Technologies) was founded in 1999, headquartered in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. With branches and offices in more than 20 provinces and cities nationwide, its service network covers the whole Country. In January 2014, it was listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ). In June 2022, it was listed on the Beijing Stock Exchange. The Company has been deeply engaged in the geographic information industry for more than 20 years, and is committed to the data services of remote sensing, surveying and mapping and geographic information, and to integrating and mining the spatiotemporal big data, offering the data services of the entire industrial chain and system development and integration, and providing strong supports for the development of intelligent information in various industries based on the spatiotemporal big data. 

Leading Minds in GeoAI Convene for RCAIG’s Landmark 2026 Workshop

Hosted by the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the 2026 Workshop and Tutorial in GeoAI Advancements and Applications has successfully concluded. Now in its third year, this flagship event brought together over 160 participants, including world-renowned academics, government officials, and industry pioneers, to explore the transformative power of GeoAI.  The workshop was generously supported by the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), the Research Institute of Land and Space (RILS), and the Spatial Data Office (SDO) of the Development Bureau, HKSAR Government. Chaired by Professor Qihao Weng, Director of the JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations and RCAIG, this workshop focused on bridging the gap between AI theory and real-world applications to derive scientific insights from complex geospatial data.  Pioneering Visions and Collaborative Milestones  The workshop commenced with welcoming remarks from Professor Jiannong Cao (Vice President of Education, PolyU), Professor Qihao Weng (Workshop Chair and Director of RCAIG), and Sr. Professor Paul Tsui (CEO, Esri China Hong Kong; Adjunct Professor, HKUST). The event also featured a special address by Hon. Mr. Duncan Chiu (Legislative Council Member, HKSAR), who shared his insights on urban transformation empowered by GeoAI.  A key highlight of the opening session was the announcement of plans to establish the Geospatial Artificial Intelligence Forum (GeoAIF). Endorsed by PolyU, this initiative aims to position Hong Kong as a leading global hub for safe, reliable, and ethical geospatial AI technology. The forum will bring together experts from academia, industry, and government to drive translational research and advise on national and international policy. Professor Qihao Weng presented the initiative’s vision, mission, strategic roadmap, and expected outcomes, while Hon. Duncan Chiu and Professor Jiannong Cao shared valuable perspectives on the profound significance of GeoAIF for both Hong Kong and the University.  Prominent guests of honour and VIPs in attendance also included Sr. Raymond Choi (Spatial Data Office, Development Bureau) , and senior representatives from the Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department, including Mr. Cheuk Man Yeung, Mr. Ying Kit Wong, Mr. Yue Chun Chan, and Mr. Man Cheong So.  Global Keynotes on Spatial Intelligence  The workshop featured an extraordinary assembly of global keynote speakers, combining local expertise with international perspectives. Among them, Professor Jiannong Cao of PolyU explored the future of ubiquitous AI, while virtual keynote presentations by Professor Michael Batty of UCL and Professor Dev Niyogi of the University of Texas at Austin discussed the evolution of AI in city planning and the development of interoperable City Digital Twins. Other keynote speakers included Professor Lan Mu of the University of Georgia, Chair Professor Bo Huang of HKU, Professor Yu Liu of Peking University, Professor Maria Antonia Brovelli of Politecnico di Milano, Chair Professor Xiaoli Ding of PolyU, Chair Professor Hui Su of HKUST, Professor Bisheng Yang of Wuhan University, Professor Jun Li of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), and Mr Keran Wang of UN ESCAP, who shared insights across application-driven GeoAI, spatial intelligence, land cover mapping, InSAR, tropical cyclone forecasting, autonomous mapping, urban flood monitoring, and sustainable geospatial innovation.  Advanced Insights from Invited Experts  The comprehensive technical sessions were further enriched by a distinguished lineup of regional and international invited experts presenting cutting-edge, data-driven GeoAI solutions. International perspectives were highlighted by speakers such as Professor Cheolhee Yoo of Pusan National University, who examined remote sensing for urban heat risk and emissions; Professor Kazuhito Ichii of Chiba University, who discussed GeoAI-driven terrestrial monitoring with geostationary satellites; and Dr Hao Li of the National University of Singapore, who spoke on responsible AI for disaster resilience in a changing climate. Locally, PolyU researchers, including Professor Xintao Liu, Professor Yang Xu, Professor George Z.Z. Liu, and Professor Guoqiang Shi, shared highly applicable work on spatial data science, smart urban mobility, rainfall forecasting, and satellite- and deep-learning-enabled infrastructure health monitoring for Hong Kong’s reclamation areas.  Looking Ahead  As RCAIG celebrates the success of this landmark event, the Centre extends its heartfelt gratitude to all distinguished guests, speakers, and participants who contributed to making this third edition a resounding success. This workshop has once again underscored RCAIG’s commitment to driving innovation, fostering global collaboration, and shaping the future of geospatial artificial intelligence.  We look forward to welcoming you all back next year for the 2027 edition as we continue to push the boundaries of GeoAI together. 

Monthly Workshop Highlights of May 2026: Research Progress at RCAIG

On May 29, 2026, the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University held its monthly workshop, bringing together researchers and students from the centre. Hosted by Prof. Qihao Weng, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, and chaired by Dr. Pir Mohammad, Research Assistant Professor, the workshop explored a diverse range of topics at the intersection of geomatics, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, and sustainable development.  During the workshop, the centre’s Research Assistant Professors and postdoctoral researchers shared their latest progress across several emerging research directions, including urban thermal comfort, renewable energy, forest disturbance, urban datasets, geospatial embeddings, and climate risk assessment. Dr. Ali Ismaeel presented high-resolution mapping of the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) to assess human thermal comfort. Dr. Kalingga Titon Nur Ihsan assessed the storage and backup capacity for solar energy installations under both current and future scenarios. Dr. Rui Sun introduced her updated research on pan-tropical fire-related forest loss, Fire–LST responses, attribution and mediation analysis, and future work on fire-attributable warming. Dr. Xihong Lian presented progress on improving tree detection models and acquiring global urban datasets. Dr. Yijie Wu shared her latest findings regarding the morphological structure of urban similarity in the general geospatial embedding space. Dr. Farhan Saleem presented high-resolution CORDEX-CORE projections and exposure risks for croplands and populations, highlighting the urgent need for climate adaptation and stakeholder engagement in vulnerable regions, particularly Pakistan.  Ph.D. students also presented their ongoing research, covering urban cooling, vegetation phenology, remote sensing pre-training, computational imaging, and land-use efficiency. Mr. Xin Li reported on the edge effect as a mediator linking landscape patterns and cooling efficiency. Ms. Lihong Wang discussed the "balancing act" between climatic drivers and biological carry-over to maintain the stability of allocation of time. Her research shows that under future warming, negative autumn-to-spring carry-over strengthens, whereby extended late-season activity constrains subsequent green-up. Mr. Ziyun Yan compared various pre-training frameworks and demonstrated the superiority of self-distillation in remote sensing time-series pre-training, which is capable of mining unique temporal information. Mr. Xi Chen presented his previous research in computational imaging, covering Transformer-based, diffusion model-based, and deep unfolding-based algorithms. Mr. Lu Weipeng introduced a study recently published in Land Use Policy on data consistency assessment and global land-use efficiency evaluation, and shared the motivation behind the research.  Throughout the session, Prof. Qihao Weng provided expert leadership by steering the academic discourse and offering critical insights on each presentation. His constructive critiques allowed the researchers to further sharpen their methodologies and theoretical frameworks.   The workshop continued to provide an important platform for RCAIG members to share research progress, exchange ideas, and refine ongoing work. By bringing together diverse topics ranging from urban climate and renewable energy to remote sensing, computational imaging, and geospatial AI, the workshop supported cross-disciplinary discussion and collaboration. These monthly gatherings will continue to support RCAIG’s efforts to advance GeoAI research and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.