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RICRI and SKL-CRCC Join Forces to Fortify Urban Resilience Against Extreme Weather

The Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) is proud to announce the latest advancements in climate resilience research, as highlighted during the recent press conference hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event showcased the close collaboration between RICRI and the State Key Laboratory of Climate Resilience for Coastal Cities (SKL-CRCC), underscoring their shared commitment to safeguarding Hong Kong and other coastal cities from the escalating threats posed by climate change and extreme weather events. Dr Otto Poon, University Fellow of PolyU and member of the RICRI Steering Committee, emphasised the growing severity of extreme weather and its profound impact on human life, property, and agriculture. He highlighted RICRI’s dedication to supporting research in four key areas: climate change and extreme weather, urban infrastructure and resilience, rural community disaster mitigation, and climate-resilient policy and adaptation. Dr Poon further stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in integrating research outcomes to build a robust defence against climate threats. Professor Li Xiangdong, Director of RICRI and Director of SKL-CRCC, outlined the synergistic relationship between the two platforms. While SKL-CRCC focuses on high-level fundamental research in climate resilience, RICRI is dedicated to engineering applications, such as mitigating flooding during intense rainfall. This partnership ensures that scientific breakthroughs are effectively translated into practical solutions, minimising the impact of extreme weather on Hong Kong and beyond. Pioneering Research Initiatives The press conference also introduced three cutting-edge research projects developed: Climate Change Monitoring on Cross-Sea Bridges The PolyU team has installed nearly 300 advanced sensors on the Tsing Ma Bridge to monitor structural responses to climate change. These highly sensitive sensors detect even the slightest vibrations, providing valuable data on the bridge’s condition. Over the past 28 years, monitoring has revealed an average annual temperature increase of 0.05°C and a yearly rise of approximately 3.6 hours in typhoon exposure. This monitoring system has also been deployed on other major infrastructures, including Ting Kau Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge. LiDAR Typhoon Monitoring Network Supported by a HK$50 million grant from the Research Grants Council, the “INTACT: Intelligent Tropical-storm-resilient System for Coastal Cities” project leverages LiDAR technology to monitor wind profiles up to 1,000 metres in height. This system fills critical gaps in meteorological data, providing accurate information for the design of both low-rise and high-rise buildings, thereby enhancing urban safety during severe storms. Eco-Friendly Wave-Dissipating Seawalls Addressing the threat of storm surges to coastal areas, the PolyU team is developing innovative, nature-based coastal protection solutions. Using advanced hydraulic engineering facilities, researchers simulate wave impacts to explore new methods for reducing wave force and safeguarding coastal communities. These eco-friendly seawalls aim to balance effective protection with environmental sustainability. Looking Ahead RICRI and SKL-CRCC remain at the forefront of developing resilient infrastructure solutions for a sustainable future. For more information about our research and ongoing initiatives, please visit the RICRI official website.  

PolyU RICRI Delegation Strengthens Climate Resilience Collaboration in Singapore

From 6 to 7 November 2025, a delegation from the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) visited leading partner universities in Singapore, advancing international collaboration in climate resilience research and education. The delegation, led by Professor Ben YOUNG (Vice President for Student and Global Affairs), Professor LI Xiangdong (Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment & Director of RICRI), Professor Jerry YAN (Chair Professor of Energy Engineering), and Professor DUAN Huan-Feng (Associate Director of RICRI), engaged in fruitful discussions with the Department of Architecture (DoA) at The National University of Singapore (NUS) with Professor HO Huay-Peng (Former Head of Department of DoA), Professor YUAN Chao (Deputy Head of Department of DoA), Professor COMAROFF Joshua and Professor Eddie Siu-Kit LAU. The delegation also visited the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and met Professor YANG Yaowen (Associate Vice President for Lifelong Learning – Academic) and Professor CHU Jian (Chair of CEE). Professor LI detailing the main research scopes and directions as well as ongoing research topics and tasks, including Energy Infrastructure topics led by Professor YAN Jerry and Nature-based Solutions project led by Professor DUAN during the meetings. The delegation introduced RICRI’s pioneering schemes, including the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Fellowship (CRIF) and the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Distinguished Lecture Series (CRIDLS), which were highlighted as key initiatives to foster global academic exchange and research excellence. and outlined opportunities for joint research centres and international symposium series. The PolyU team, NUS team sand NTU team expressed strong interest in collaborative research and consortium participation. Followed the meeting, the PolyU delegation was guided on a tour of the laboratories focused on structural engineering, construction, and the environment at NUS and another tour of the coastal and hydraulic engineering laboratory. During the visit to NUS’s Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI), Professor Richard LIEW (Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering) and Professor QIAN Xudong (Director of CFI) introduced the broad scopes of CFI, covering fundamental research, engineering applications, and living lab programs that involve collaboration with government agencies and industry partners. Both parties underscored the shared missions of RICRI and CFI, with both institutes recognising the potential for impactful, win-win collaboration in climate resilience. Colleagues from NUS were invited to the upcoming SKL-CRCC opening and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Symposium at PolyU. RICRI remains committed to advancing climate-resilient infrastructure through international partnerships, innovative research, and knowledge exchange, paving the way for a sustainable future.

RICRI Hosts Successful Meeting with CCRS to Explore Future Collaboration

On 28 October 2025, the Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) was delighted to welcome representatives from the Otto Poon Center for Climate Resilience and Sustainability (CCRS) at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology to PolyU for a fruitful meeting aimed at exploring potential collaborations. The meeting was held at PolyU, and brought together directors and key members from both organisations. During the session, Director of CCRS, Prof. LU Mengqian and Director of RICRI, Prof. LI Xiangdong introduced their respective centre and institute, sharing insights into their missions, ongoing research, and strategic priorities. Members of RICRI also took the opportunity to introduce themselves, fostering a spirit of openness and mutual understanding. The discussions centred on the shared commitment of both organisations to advancing climate resilience and sustainability through innovative research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Both CCRS and RICRI expressed enthusiasm for working together in the future, recognising the potential to leverage their complementary expertise to address pressing global challenges. RICRI looks forward to building on this successful meeting and exploring meaningful collaborative opportunities with CCRS. We are confident that this partnership will contribute significantly to the development of climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable solutions for Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world. For further updates on our collaborative initiatives, please stay tuned to the RICRI website.

CRIRS Progress Report Presented to Steering Committee at PolyU

The first Progress Report Presentation of the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Research Scheme (CRIRS) was successfully held on 2 October 2025 in The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The meeting provided a comprehensive review of the scheme’s progress and performance, and was attended by distinguished members of the Steering Committee, including Ir Frank CHAN, Dr Andrew CHAN, and Ir Otto POON. The event was further graced by the presence of President, Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, and Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher CHAO. Before the presentation, Prof. LI Xiang-dong, Director of the Research Institute for Climate Resilience and Innovation (RICRI), shared an overview of the Institute’s key research activities. His remarks highlighted the ongoing efforts and strategic directions of RICRI in advancing climate-resilient infrastructure research. CRIRS is an innovative initiative designed to support projects that not only advance our understanding of climate-resilient infrastructure, but also translate this knowledge into actionable strategies and technologies. Through these projects, RICRI aims to foster interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaborations, empowering stakeholders to work together towards a resilient and sustainable future in the face of global climate change. During the meeting, project leaders presented updates on ongoing research, highlighting significant achievements and outlining future directions. The Steering Committee members provided valuable feedback and strategic guidance, ensuring that the scheme remains aligned with its mission to address the pressing challenges posed by climate change. The presence of university leadership underscored the institution’s strong commitment to advancing climate resilience research and innovation. The CRIRS Progress Report Presentation served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange and strategic planning, reinforcing PolyU’s role as a leader in climate-resilient infrastructure research. The university looks forward to continued collaboration with stakeholders and experts to drive impactful solutions for a sustainable future.  

Professor XIA Yong Named Structural Health Monitoring Person of the Year, Reinforcing University’s Global Leadership

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has further strengthened its global leadership in structural health monitoring (SHM) and climate-resilient infrastructure, with Professor Xia Yong, Professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Associate Dean of Graduate School, and Director of the Joint Research Centre of Marine Infrastructure, being named the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) Person of the Year. Professor Xia is the third PolyU scholar to receive this prestigious honour, making PolyU the only university in Hong Kong to achieve this distinction and tying for the highest number of recipients worldwide since the award’s inception over twenty years ago. Sponsored by SAGE Publishing and selected by the editorial board of the Structural Health Monitoring journal, the SHM Person of the Year Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to SHM, benefiting society through excellence in research, applications, and education. The award is presented annually at the International Workshop on SHM in Stanford, USA. Professor Xia is recognised for his pioneering research, including vibration-based damage detection methods, analytical solutions for bridge responses under thermal loads, and substructuring techniques for monitoring large-scale structures. His work has shaped design standards and educational materials, making a significant global impact and supporting the development of infrastructure that is more resilient to climate change and extreme weather events. His research has been applied to major infrastructure projects such as the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Canton Tower, and the Shanghai Tower, as well as internationally to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan and the Humber Bridge in the UK. He has also established research centres and developed innovative educational systems, such as the Benchmark Problem for SHM of High-rise Structures and the real-time PolyU Footbridge Digital Twin System. PolyU remains committed to advancing next-generation SHM and climate-resilient infrastructure technologies, addressing critical challenges in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond.

RICRI members recognised among world’s top scientists for climate and sustainability research

A total of 370 PolyU academics have been named among the Top 2% Scientists 2025 by Stanford University and Elsevier. Notably, Prof. C.S. POON, Michael Anson Professor in Civil Engineering and Director of the Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality and Prof. WENG Qihao, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence, were listed among the global top 10 in their respective fields.   Their research in civil engineering, carbon neutrality, and geomatics directly contributes to climate resilience and the development of sustainable infrastructure, reinforcing PolyU’s leadership in advancing solutions for a more climate-resilient future.    

Professor DONG You was Honored with IASSAR Early Achievement Research Award

We are pleased to announce that Prof. DONG You, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a valued member of our community, has been honoured with the Early Achievement Research Award by the International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability (IASSAR). The award was presented at the 14th International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR 2025), held in Los Angeles, USA, from 1–6 June 2025. This distinguished accolade recognises Prof. DONG’s pioneering research in developing next-generation engineering systems that are adaptive, resilient, and sustainable. His work addresses critical challenges such as structural deterioration, environmental hazards, and the impacts of climate change, utilising cutting-edge approaches in data science, robotics, and machine learning. The IASSAR Early Achievement Research Award is presented to up to four outstanding junior researchers at the early stages of their careers, highlighting exceptional contributions to the advancement of structural safety and reliability. Prof. DONG joins a select group of international recipients, underscoring the global significance of his achievements. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. DONG on this well-earned recognition of his significant achievements. We look forward to his ongoing contributions to research and development of resilient and sustainable solutions for urban and rural communities.

PolyU RICRI Delegation Strengthens International Collaboration in Climate Resilience During Japan Visit

A delegation from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Research Institute for Climate Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI), led by Professor LI Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment and Director of RICRI, recently completed a successful visit to Japan to strengthen international collaboration in climate resilience, carbon neutrality, and sustainable urban development. During the visit, the delegation met with LocationMind Inc. in Tokyo, where Professor SHIBASAKI Ryosuke, CTO of LocationMind Lab, introduced the company’s advanced digital platform for real-time human mobility and disaster monitoring. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on the integration of urban digital platforms and explored opportunities for joint research in disaster prediction and smart city development. The team also visited Zero-Club to learn about Japan’s carbon-zero initiatives and discuss potential research and industrial collaborations. Zero-Club’s leadership welcomed Hong Kong partners to join efforts in carbon-neutral innovation. At Keio University, a workshop facilitated knowledge exchange on smart and sustainable urban development, with both sides expressing strong interest in future research collaborations and student exchange programs. In Osaka, the delegation toured the Carbon Neutral Research Hub (CNRH) of Daigas Group, gaining insights into advanced R&D technologies such as SOEC methanation and Virtual Power Plants. Discussions focused on collaborative research and student visits between Hong Kong and Japanese institutions. The group also visited key pavilions at Expo 2025, including Osaka Gas, Jellyfish, and Mitsubishi. The visit concluded at the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo, where both institutions shared their research achievements and discussed the establishment of joint research projects and student exchanges. The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) team committed to collaborating with RICRI on sustainable urban development and participating in future initiatives such as the Inno-HK programme. This fruitful visit reinforced RICRI’s commitment to global partnerships in climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure. The delegation’s engagements in Japan have laid a strong foundation for future collaborative research, innovation, and academic exchange.

UTokyo and PolyU Host Joint Symposium on Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Smart Cities

In response to the growing challenges posed by climate change, leading experts from The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) convened for a joint symposium focused on advancing climate-resilient infrastructure and smart city development. The event, held at UTokyo, brought together scholars, researchers, and students both in-person and online.  Co-organized by UTokyo’s Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (III) and PolyU’s Otto Poon Research Institute for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI), the symposium served as a platform for international collaboration and multidisciplinary knowledge exchange. Participants explored how data science, artificial intelligence, and engineering innovations can be integrated into urban systems to enhance resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. The program featured keynote speeches from Professor MEGURO Kimiro (Dean, UTokyo III) and Professor LI Xiangdong (Dean of FCE & Director of RICRI, PolyU), followed by technical presentations from both institutions. Topics included extreme weather events, urban disaster management, digital twin systems for cities, and nature-based solutions—reflecting the broad scope of RICRI’s research. Interactive discussions and networking sessions allowed participants to identify potential areas for future collaboration. Professor LI Xiangdong extended an invitation to UTokyo faculty and students to visit PolyU through various international programs, including the Climate Resilience Infrastructure Visiting Scholar Program and the Distinguished Scholar Lectures. This initiative was met with enthusiasm from the UTokyo community. The symposium concluded with a laboratory tour at UTokyo, where attendees explored the university’s latest advancements in smart city technologies and well-being society concepts, such as Society 5.0, slow digital cities, and the application of IoT, AI, and Big Data.

Visiting Delft University of Technology and Imperial College London

A delegation from the Otto Poon Institute for Resilient Infrastructure (RICRI) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) undertook a significant visit to two partner universities—Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Netherlands, and Imperial College London (ICL), United Kingdom —from June 16 to June 18, 2025. The delegation, led by Professor LI Xiangdong (Director of RICRI), alongside Associate Directors Professor ZHU Songye and Professor DUAN Huan-Feng, engaged in high-level discussions aimed at advancing collaborative research and academic exchange.   At TU Delft, the delegation was warmly received by Professor AARNINKHOF Stefan, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geoscience. The two-day programme included comprehensive presentations on research strategies, with a focus on climate-resilient infrastructure, coastal flood risks, and digital innovation. Both parties explored avenues for joint research projects, pilot initiatives such as nature-based solutions, and student exchanges. The RICRI team also toured cutting-edge laboratories and field sites, including the Green Village and Flood Proof Holland, further cementing the foundation for future collaboration. Plans were set in motion to pursue project-driven partnerships and potentially establish a joint research centre.   On 18 June, the delegation visited Imperial College London, meeting with Professor OCHIENG Washington Y, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Discussions centred on formalising collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with a view to launching joint research, staff and student exchanges, and long-term partnership opportunities. The visit featured seminars, research presentations, and a tour of advanced infrastructure laboratories. These visits mark a significant step in RICRI’s international engagement, fostering robust partnerships to address global challenges in resilient and sustainable infrastructure.