News

RILS co-organised 2025 International Joint VOCs Conference

From 6 to 8 November 2025, the 12th Annual National Conference on the Prevention and Control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), the 5th International Symposium on Catalytic Science and Technology in Sustainable Energy and Environment (5th EECAT), and the 2025 International Expert Symposium on Volatile Organic Compounds (collectively referred to as the 2025 Joint VOCs Conference) were successfully co-organised by the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) of PolyU, Jinan University, South China University of Technology, and the VOCs Pollution Prevention and Control Committee of the Chinese Society for Environmental Sciences, among other institutions. The conference was held in Guangzhou and attracted nearly 600 experts, scholars, industry professionals, and research students from over ten countries and regions. The International VOCs Experts Symposium originated from a workshop initiated by Prof. GUO Hai, management committee member of RILS and Professor of CEE, in late November 2023 at PolyU, which received widespread acclaim. This year’s event, the second International VOCs Experts Symposium, was held in conjunction with two domestic VOCs-related conferences, aiming to expand its international influence while deepening academic exchange within China. The conference featured 10 plenary speeches delivered by leading VOCs experts worldwide. As one of the five co-chairs of the organizing committee, Prof. Guo invited Prof. Donald R. BLAKE from the University of California, Irvine, and Prof. Mathew EVANS from the University of York, UK, to deliver the opening and closing plenary speeches, respectively. Prof. Guo also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Prof. Blake during the opening ceremony and chaired the closing ceremony. The conference included 12 parallel sessions, 350 high-level academic presentations, and 50 poster displays. Prof. Guo delivered keynote speeches in two sessions, focusing on indoor VOCs and VOCs impacts across different bay areas. The conference also recognised outstanding student presentations and posters, with Dr. XIONG Enyu, a recent PhD graduate from Prof. Guo’s group, receiving the Outstanding Student Presentation Award. The conference provided a platform for experts to share cutting-edge research findings and strategic insights on key topics such as VOCs pollution mechanisms, monitoring technologies, control strategies, and global collaborative governance. The event contributed innovative solutions for advancing VOCs pollution control technologies and global air quality management.

Prof. WENG Qihao, Associate Director of RILS, develops AI-driven, GIS Compatible vehicle type detection system supported by Smart Traffic Fund

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to advancing innovative transportation technologies that shape the future of mobility. A novel PolyU research project to develop a vehicle type detection system using artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies has received support from the Smart Traffic Fund, helping to facilitate traffic management in Hong Kong. Led by Prof. Qihao WENG, Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar at the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space, Director of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG) and JC STEM Lab of Earth Observations, the project titled “AI-Driven, GIS-Compatible Vehicle Type Detection System Riding on Fusion of Satellite, CCTV, and Geospatial Data” has received support from the Smart Traffic Fund, with approximately HK$3.23 million in funding over a duration of 24 months. With matching funds, this project will have a total budget of over HK$4.03 million. This project aims to develop a vehicle type detection system based on satellite and CCTV images. It will address existing AI limitations, such as limited generalisation capability and complex background interference. By developing AI-powered image analysis technology and establishing a vehicle type detection system compatible with geographic information systems, the project will deliver precise vehicle data analytics to facilitate traffic management in Hong Kong. The Smart Traffic Fund provides funding support to local organisations and enterprises for conducting research and applying innovation and technology with the objectives of enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety.

RILS co-organised The 4th Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA) Academic Forum

The 4th Academic Forum of the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Remote Sensing and Environment was successfully held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) from 29 to 30 October 2025. Jointly organised by PolyU and the Jiangsu-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (JHMUA), the event was hosted by the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and the Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL), with strong support from the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE), Mainland Development Office (MDO), State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Urban Climate Resilience, Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the School of Environment and Spatial Informatics of China University of Mining and Technology. Prof. Charles Man Sing WONG, Professor of LSGI, Associate Dean of FCE, Associate Director of RISUD and management committee member of RILS, chaired the JHMUA Remote Sensing and Environment Annual Meeting. He facilitated discussions among representatives from alliance member universities, who joined both online and in-person, to deliberate on the consortium's strategic direction and future collaborations. During Opening Ceremony, Prof. WONG extended a warm welcome to all participants and reflected on the alliance's journey since its establishment in 2022. He highlighted the platform's vital role in strengthening the scientific and educational bonds among Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao. The scientific program delved into the forefront of remote sensing and environmental science, covering critical topics such as climate change, air quality, carbon emission monitoring, geological hazard detection and Earth system science. These themes were explored through a series of high-caliber invited reports delivered by renowned scholars, including: Prof. Guo-qiang SHI (PolyU) Prof. Xiao-lin ZHU (PolyU) Prof. Bo HUANG (HKU) Prof. Hui SU (HKUST) Prof. Meng GAO (HKBU) Prof. Fei JIANG (Nanjing University) Prof. Huilin CHEN (Nanjing University) Prof. Zhong LU (China University of Mining and Technology) Prof. Liang GAO (University of Macau) The forum successfully promoted academic exchange and strengthened collaboration in remote sensing and environmental research among universities in Jiangsu, Hong Kong and Macao.

Dr Olga ROSTAPSHOVA of University of Chicago champions data-driven approach to environmental regulations at RILS Public Lecture

On 14 October 2025, Dr Olga ROSTAPSHOVA, Executive Director of the Energy and Environment Laboratory at the University of Chicago, delivered an online public lecture on "A Data-Driven Approach to Improving Enforcement of Environmental Regulations". The lecture was well-attended by over 300 registrations, attracting audience across the globe. Dr Rostapshova presented on the limitations of traditional methods of regulatory enforcement and the potential of leveraging advancements in remote sensing, computing capabilities, and analytic methods to transform environmental enforcement. The lecture highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, combining public policy, economics and applied data science to inform policy and drive measurable improvements in regulatory enforcement, resource conservation and pollution reduction. Following the presentation was a lively question-and-answer session moderated by Prof. LI Heng, Management Committee member of RILS and Chair Professor of Construction Informatics.  The audience engaged in a productive discussion with Dr Rostapshova.

RILS showcases at GBA Water Conservation Industry Innovation and Development Conference and Expo

The Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) recently participated in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Water Conservation Industry Innovation and Development Conference and Expo, held at the Baiyun International Convention Center in Guangzhou. The event provided a valuable platform for RILS to engage with government, utilities, industry and academia on promoting resilient and low-carbon water infrastructure across the GBA. At the RILS booth, we showcased the latest research on applying optical fibre sensing for real-time water mains leakage detection and health monitoring, led by Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS. Demonstrations highlighted the capabilities of distributed fiber sensing, which combines acoustic, temperature and strain measurements to continuously monitor long pipeline corridors, detect hidden leaks and flag early-stage anomalies. This approach, integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS), digital twins and edge analytics, supports data-driven asset management, reduces non-revenue water, minimises unnecessary excavation and enhances service reliability. The event was attended by notable guests, including Mr WONG Yan Lok, Roger, JP, Director of Water Supplies, Water Supplies Department, HKSAR, and Ir Dr CHAN Hon Fai, Founding President of the Hong Kong Institute of Water and Sanitation Safety. They visited our booth to discuss potential collaborations, standards development and talent cultivation. The Expo facilitated productive discussions on joint research, technology transfer, and demonstration projects with utilities and solution providers from across the region. Building on the momentum from Guangzhou, RILS will continue to advance optical fiber sensing and complementary smart-water technologies that safeguard resources and strengthen the GBA's critical infrastructure.

Successful Visit by the RILS Delegation to the Geospatial Lab

On 9 October 2025, a delegation from the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), led by Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS, and Prof. Ben CHAN, Adjunct Professor of RILS, visited the Geospatial Lab. The Geospatial Lab plays a vital role in promoting the use of spatial data for smart applications, aligning with the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) initiative to support Hong Kong’s smart city development. During the visit, RILS participants were introduced to the lab’s facilities, geographic information system (GIS) software applications and opportunities for spatial data knowledge sharing. The delegation engaged in in-depth discussions on leveraging spatial data for land and space research, exploring innovative approaches for smart city projects and enhancing collaboration between academia and the public sector. We extend our sincere gratitude to Sr CHAN Yue-chun, Head of Spatial Data Office of the Development Bureau (DEVB), HKSAR, and his team for their support in facilitating this visit. This exchange of ideas and expertise has laid a foundation for future collaboration and innovation in land and space research.

RILS researchers develop underground utilities inspection technologies to locate invisible water pipe leakages and voids

A research team led by Prof. Wallace LAI Wai-lok, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Associate Head and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, has leveraged advanced underground exploration technologies to develop underground utilities inspection systems that support early detection of urban infrastructure anomalies, including voids and pipe leakages, for enhanced urban management. These advanced algorithms behind the multi-channel and road-based ground penetrating radar are well-suited for Hong Kong’s complex underground pipeline network and can accurately detect and assess underground pipeline leakages.  With guidance from Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of RILS and Chair Professor of Geomatics, on the application of optical fibre within pipelines, the system can objectively analyse the collected underground pipe images to identify water leaks and their severity, as well as the approximate location of the leak point, which will assist in subsequent repair work.  The research team has also developed an acoustic-based leak detection and localisation method, which analyses noise characteristics to distinguish between different types and severities of leaks.  Traditional tools like ground microphones often struggle with environmental noise, so the team is exploring the use of robots equipped with acoustic hydrophones for more precise detection. Over the years, the team has closely collaborated with government bodies and industry to establish relevant training centre and joint laboratory, and to build a specialiseddatabaseand AI model for ground-penetrating radar images and leak noise.  The team aims to enable large-scale, efficient inspections and support data-driven management strategies to reduce water leakage and prevent road subsidence. Press release: https://polyu.me/46xOdS4   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/42mKkgq Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/488TXmD Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3VIW896 Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4o0IOsB

PolyU and Lands Department join forces to drive surveying and geospatial innovations for Hong Kong’s digital transformation

PolyU and the Lands Department of the HKSAR Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12 September 2025 to establish a collaborative framework for advancing the development of smart survey, mapping and geospatial services that incorporate authoritative standards. Through pioneering research, providing technological training and facilitating technology enhancement, this partnership aims to accelerate the City’s transformation into smart Hong Kong.   At the signing ceremony held on the University campus, Prof. WANG Zuankai, Associate Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, and Mr CHANG Kwok-fai, Deputy Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department, signed the MoU. They were joined by Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Prof. CHEN Wu, Head of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI); Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS); Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of the PolyU Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI); Prof. WENG Qihao, Director of the PolyU Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG); Mr CHU Siu-ki, Assistant Director (Survey and Mapping) of the Lands Department; and other guests to witness this noteworthy occasion.   In his welcoming address, Prof. WANG Zuankai said, “From urban planning and environmental monitoring to disaster response and resource management, spatial data and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the way we understand and interact with our environment. We envision that, by bringing together Survey and Mapping Office (SMO)’s authoritative expertise and professional experience, with PolyU’s academic excellence, cutting-edge research and innovative drive, this MoU will strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global smart city leader and create a legacy of innovation and prosperity for our community.”   Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr CHANG Kwok-fai said that the partnership combines the PolyU’s research excellence with the Lands Department’s practical experience, marking a significant step towards modernising Hong Kong’s geospatial technologies. Through the partnership, Lands Department will promote the application of innovative solutions to enhance land administration efficiency and support Hong Kong’s development as a smart city.   Under the collaborative framework, four academic and research units at PolyU—namely LSGI, RILS, SCRI and RCAIG—will join forces to collaborate with SMO in research, education and knowledge transfer, primarily focusing on interdisciplinary areas of land surveying, geographic information systems, remote sensing, smart city, AI and location-based technology. In pursuing related initiatives, the two parties plan to establish a joint research centre, where PolyU will contribute personnel and technical resources, while SMO will offer professional and industrial insights. The centre will seek to optimise and apply a range of methods, practices and technologies related to surveying, Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network (SatRef), advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, geospatial data integration and analytics, and smart address management for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in urban planning and development of Hong Kong. In addition, PolyU and SMO will consider providing industry practitioners and relevant government staff with training on the latest surveying and geospatial technologies and practices.   Prof. CHEN Qingyan highlighted the significance of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research in supporting the sustainable development of Hong Kong. He said, “Smart and sustainable cities is one of the key domains of PolyU’s interdisciplinary research. Under this theme, we combine expertise from diverse fields—spanning land surveying, geo-informatics, civil engineering, computing and AI—to pursue research innovations in spatial data analytics, system integration, infrastructure design and sensing technology. We then translate our discoveries into technologies and recommendations for adoption by industry and government, with the aim of making meaningful contributions to improving urban planning and land resource management.”   Prof. CHEN Wu  stressed the importance of this government-academia collaboration. He elaborated, “SMO possesses valuable datasets, regulatory frameworks and practical insights into urban challenges, while PolyU contributes cutting-edge research, technical expertise, and innovative solutions. By working together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that scientific advancements are effectively translated into real-world applications. Ultimately, this collaboration will accelerate the creation of a smarter, more sustainable Hong Kong by leveraging the strengths of both sectors to address complex urban issues and improve the quality of life for citizens.”   PAIR constituent research institutes participating in the programme will leverage their unique strengths to drive smart Hong Kong development. Directors of two research institutes accentuated the significance of their areas of expertise in the collaboration. Prof. DING Xiaoli said, “The collaboration will enable colleagues from RILS and Lands Department to work jointly on land related issues important to the sustainable development of Hong Kong”. Prof. John SHI Wenzhong added, “Land surveying is essential for future spatial data infrastructure in smart cities.”   Prof. WENG Qihao remarked, "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in harnessing geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) and state-of-the-art geospatial technologies to support Hong Kong's smart city vision and urban infrastructure assessment and monitoring. By combining PolyU's research strengths with the Lands Department's expertise, we aim to develop innovative solutions that will enhance urban management, improve quality of life for the community, and enhance the climate resiliency of the city."   Fostering closer ties between academia, government and industry, this collaboration will drive the development of smart Hong Kong by embracing advanced surveying and geospatial innovations, and deeply integrating robust technologies to promote the City’s sustainable development.   Press release: https://polyu.me/4mfIm8E   Online coverage: Mirage - https://polyu.me/3K1qtwO Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3VMJvtn Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4pm4WPu etnet - https://polyu.me/46zLXtw Sina HK - https://polyu.me/3VhwHLt ifeng.com - https://polyu.me/42uOtia Guan Dian - https://polyu.me/4giAh1w East Money - https://polyu.me/4ns7A4D NetEase - https://polyu.me/48eiRkA Toutiao - https://polyu.me/463A5zU Huaue - https://polyu.me/46ltJL0

Director of RILS pens article for Hong Kong Economic Times on development strategies for Northern Metropolis

Prof. DING Xiaoli, Director of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Geomatics, and Dr GUO Jian, Project Fellow of RILS, penned an article in Hong Kong Economic Times on 1 September 2025, offering an in-depth discussion on the planned population density of the Northern Metropolis. The authors believe that the development of the Northern Metropolis will help release a substantial amount of land, for building a new, liveable and business-friendly area with a residential population of about 2.5 million in the northern New Territories adjacent to Shenzhen. This would break Hong Kong’s long-standing “south over north” spatial development pattern, promote the integration between northern Hong Kong and southern Shenzhen, and support the construction of an international innovation and technology hub in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. It would also serve China’s national strategy for technological self-reliance and strength, carrying profound significance for both regional and national development. In terms of population density, the two scholars consider that the Northern Metropolis has the potential for accommodating more people. Hong Kong has a land area of approximately 1,090 square kilometres (excluding inland water areas) and a population of about 7.52 million in 2024, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world. The Northern Metropolis currently has a population of around 1 million, with a density of only 3,488 people per square kilometre. Even if its population increases to 2.5 million in the future, the density will only be 8,333 people per square kilometre, far lower than some of the other urban areas. Excluding country parks, the population density of the Northern Metropolis remains relatively low among Hong Kong’s eighteen districts. They pointed out that, the Northern Metropolis should be cherished as it is the last large tract of land in Hong Kong available for large-scale development, and its population density should be appropriately increased to improve land use efficiency and provide resources for future development. For example, if each square kilometre could accommodate an additional 2,000 people, this would accommodate a population of about 500,000, which is equivalent to that of the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands project, and could save approximately HK$580 billion in construction costs. Of course, in the long run, Hong Kong still requires land created through land reclamation to support sustainable development.   Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3I0tnRM (Chinese only)

RILS researchers use novel satellite laser ranging technique to reveal accelerated global average sea-level rise with 90 mm surge over past 30 years

The rise in global mean sea level (GMSL) is a critical indicator of climate change. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) researchers have utilised advanced space geodetic technologies to deliver the first precise 30-year (1993-2022) record of global ocean mass change (also known as barystatic sea level), revealing its dominant role in driving GMSL rise. Their research further indicates that GMSL has been increasing at an average rate of approximately 3.3 mm per year with a notable acceleration observed, highlighting the growing severity of climate change. The research findings have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. GMSL is primarily driven by two factors: the thermal expansion of seawater — as the oceans absorb around 90% of the excess heat in the Earth’s climate system — and the increase in global ocean mass, which is mainly caused by the influx of freshwater from melting land ice. Therefore, long-term monitoring of global ocean mass change is essential for understanding present-day GMSL rise. A research team led by Prof. Jianli CHEN, Chair Professor of Space Geodesy and Earth Sciences of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and a core member of the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space, together with Dr Yufeng NIE, Research Assistant Professor of LSGI and the lead and corresponding author of the research, has, for the first time, provided direct observations of global ocean mass estimates between 1993 and 2022 by utilising time-variable gravity field data derived from satellite laser ranging (SLR). In the past, scientists have relied on long-term observations from satellite altimetry to project sea-level rise. Barystatic sea level records based on satellite gravimetry only became available with the launch of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment in 2002. SLR is a traditional space geodetic technique used to accurately measure the distance between satellites and ground stations via laser ranging. However, fundamental constraints of SLR, such as the limited number of satellites and ground stations, the high altitude of the satellites (which means SLR-derived gravitational changes capture only the longest wavelengths) and the low-degree gravitational measurements, have restricted its direct application in estimating ocean mass change. To effectively utilise SLR-derived gravitational fields for accurate estimates of ocean mass change, the research team implemented an innovative forward modelling technique that tackles spatial resolution limitations by incorporating detailed geographic information of ocean-land boundaries. This approach enables long-term monitoring of global ocean mass changes. The research revealed that an increased rate of GMSL resulted in a global average sea-level rise of approximately 90 mm between 1993 and 2022, with about 60% of this rise attributable to ocean mass increase. Since around 2005,  the rise in GMSL has been primarily driven by the rapid increase in global ocean mass. This overall increase is largely driven by the accelerated melting of land ice, particularly in Greenland. Throughout the entire study period, land ice melt from polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers accounted for over 80% of the total increase in global ocean mass. Prof. Jianli CHEN said, “In recent decades, climate warming has led to accelerated land ice loss, which has played an increasingly dominant role in driving global sea-level rise. Our research enables the direct quantification of global ocean mass increase and provides a comprehensive assessment of its long-term impact on sea-level budget. This offers crucial data for validating coupled climate models used to project future sea-level rise scenarios.” Dr Yufeng NIE said, “The research showed that the ocean mass changes derived from SLR analysis align well with the total sea level changes observed by satellite altimeters, after accounting for the effect of ocean thermal expansion. This demonstrates that the traditional SLR technique can now serve as a novel and powerful tool for long-term climate change studies.”