News

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.”

Prof. WENG Qihao publishes comment article on urban visual-spatial intelligence

Prof. WENG Qihao, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Director of the Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG), Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence and Global STEM Scholar in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, together with his research team has recently published an article titled “Urban visual-spatial intelligence: linking human and sensor perception for sustainable urban development” in npj Urban Sustainability.   The article points out that UVSI integrates human perception with advanced sensor technologies, moving beyond traditional smart city models that prioritise technology alone. By combining data from sources such as satellite imagery, IoT sensors, mobile devices, and social media, UVSI provides a real-time, multi-dimensional understanding of urban environments.   A central feature of UVSI is its collaborative framework, ensuring continuous feedback between residents, technology, and urban spaces. This adaptive approach supports dynamic urban management and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 for sustainable cities. UVSI informs policy-making, infrastructure planning, disaster monitoring, and climate action, while upholding privacy and public trust.   Nonetheless, challenges persist, especially the integration of diverse types of data across geographical contexts and addressing associated biases. The research team believes that future research will focus on open-source models, digital twins, and ethical, AI-driven urban planning.   As cities expand, UVSI’s holistic method promises more resilient, inclusive, and liveable urban environments by bridging technology and human experience, ensuring urban development remains responsive to the needs of all communities.   Read the full paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-025-00256-2

Ir LAM Sai-hung, IAC Chairman of RILS, honoured as Justice of the Peace

We are pleased to announce that Ir LAM Sai-hung, the International Advisory Committee (IAC) Chairman of RILS and former Secretary for Transport and Logistics, has been appointed as a Justice of the Peace (JP) with effect from 1 July 2025. This prestigious appointment recognises Ir Lam's exceptional contributions to public service and his distinguished career in transportation and logistics. In his new role, Ir Lam will continue to play a vital part in shaping the future of RILS, working closely with IAC members to advance research and development in land and space. His expertise and leadership will remain invaluable to the RILS community, and we look forward to his continued collaboration and guidance in driving innovation and excellence in our research endeavors.

RILS Public Lecture was successfully held at PolyU on 11 June 2025

The RILS Public Lecture, held on 11 June 2025 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), featured Prof. Yan LIU, Professor of Geographical Information Science at Department of Geography and Resource Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, who delivered an enlightening talk on "Advancing Computational and Spatial Social Sciences in the Era of Big Data: Opportunities and Challenges". The lecture was chaired by Prof. Qihao WENG, Associate Director of RILS, Director of RCAIG and Chair Professor of Geomatics and Artificial Intelligence. This successful event was jointly organised by the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI), Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Geomatics (RCAIG), China Harbour – PolyU Joint Research Centre for Land Development, and PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power of PolyU. Prof. LIU drew on her research at the University of Queensland to showcase the diverse applications of spatial data and analytical models in unveiling urban and social changes, including modelling urban growth, human social interactions, public transport policies, and population health. She also discussed contemporary issues and challenges in spatial social science research, such as data security, privacy and accessibility, and highlighted the need for new methodologies, including AI and machine learning, to handle big data sources. The lecture concluded with Prof. LIU sharing her thoughts on future opportunities in the emerging field of Computational and Spatial Social Sciences, inspiring attendees to explore the vast potential of this interdisciplinary field.

RILS study revealing Malacca heritage with cutting-edge geospatial technologies

A project named “Antiquity and Heritage Lost, Found and Revealed: Promotion of 21st Century Geo-spatial Technologies” led by Prof. Wallace LAI Wai-lok, Member of the Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-informatics, has been granted HK$3.22 million from the General Support Programme under the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF-GSP) of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government. This two-year project, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Baptist University and local amateur war historians, aims to uncover and document the city’s concealed historical sites using advanced geospatial technologies. By employing techniques such as geo-referencing, airborne and terrestrial laser scanning, and geophysical technologies, the team is capturing detailed images of buried wartime relics and antiquities, bringing these lost historical relics back to light. To foster community involvement in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education, the team will organise public programmes such as guided visits to cultural and wartime heritage sites, STEAM-focused seminars, interactive workshops, and immersive exhibitions. The team has collaborated with wide stakeholders including government bodies, universities and industry partners, science magazines, non-government organisations and local village community to enhance public engagement and advance the application of geospatial innovations in uncovering Hong Kong’s hidden historical stories. In May 2025, the team expanded the study scope to Malacca, Malaysia, where they conducted 3D scanning and mapping of historic structures, including the Porta de Santiago and St. Paul’s Church. By integrating digitised historical maps with modern scanning technologies, the team identified remnants of long-buried colonial fortifications. Further expeditions to other regions in Malaysia and Indonesia are planned.   Press release: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/tc/media/media-releases/2025/0604_polyu-study-uncovering-hong-kong-s-hidden-history-with-cutting-edge-geospatial-technologies/ Online coverage: HK01 - https://polyu.me/4mNd5LL Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4ktud7O Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/4ksFCEP hkong.hk- https://polyu.me/4kR8y9a Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/45eqdTL (subscription required) Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/43Jt84w

RILS co-organised The Third ACOWS Workshop at PolyU

The third Workshop on Atmospheric and Coastal Observations for Weather Servicing (ACOWS 2024) was hosted by Prof. George LIU, Professor at the Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics (LSGI) and member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) during 2-3 April 2025. This year’s theme, “Data Assimilation for a Better Weather Forecasting”, brought together experts to explore cutting-edge advancements in weather prediction methodologies. Renowned scientists from Mainland China were invited to attend this Workshop and present their work. They are Prof. Jianhua SUN from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing; Prof. Yaodeng CHEN from the School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology; Dr Yerong FENG, Director, from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area Weather Research Centre for Monitoring Warning and Forecasting, Shenzhen; Dr Yuanfu XIE, Chief Scientist, from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area Weather Research Center for Monitoring Warning and Forecasting, Shenzhen; Prof. Donghai WANG from the School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University; and Dr Chunqing SHANG, the Huawei Technologies Company.   Presentations focused on innovative approaches to “Forecasting of Heavy Rainfall using multi-source PWV data assimilation and ensemble prediction”, a work package being led by Prof LIU. Discussions highlighted the integration of multi-source data to enhance predictive accuracy and address climate resilience challenges. The Workshop fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging academic research with operational weather servicing needs.