As global heatwaves become more frequent, the urban heat island effect is intensifying, making cities increasingly uncomfortable. Higher temperatures reduce outdoor activities while driving up reliance on air conditioning. To address these challenges, Prof. Jianlei Niu, Associate Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute and Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has led the research project “A Healthy and Resilient City with Ubiquitous Outdoor Thermal Comfort Hubs.”
The team focuses on creating localised outdoor comfort hubs that enable pleasant outdoor environments even in hot, humid, and densely built cities. The research integrates big data analytics, artificial intelligence, Geographic Information Systems, and Building Information Modelling, supported by advanced modelling and simulation of wind, heat, and moisture. This approach enables self‑optimising urban design and building forms from the early planning stage, facilitating systematic creation of localised comfort environments.
This approach supports the creation of healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities, where outdoor comfort and environmental performance are enhanced through intelligent design.
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