Five PAIR members were interviewed by HK01 to elaborate on their research projects, which are supported by the Research Grants Council (RGC)’s Themed-based Research Scheme. With breakthroughs across critical fields — from improving air quality and advancing building technologies to strengthening cities’ resilience against disasters — these projects, centred on the theme of “Developing a Sustainable Environment”, are poised to create far-reaching impact on the future development of Hong Kong and beyond.
Prof. LI Xiangdong, Director of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment, Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology and Ko Jan Ming Professor in Sustainable Urban Development, focuses on research of PM2.5, a major air pollutant linked to serious health risks. His team investigates the pollutant’s harmful components, sources and connections with chronic diseases through advanced technologies and global collaborations. The project aims to guide future PM2.5 studies, assess control strategies, review air quality indicators and recommend policies for Hong Kong and other regions. Their comprehensive approach also helps inform research on the long-term effects of PM2.5 on human health, including its potential links to lung cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Prof. WANG Tao, Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and Chair Professor of Atmospheric Environment, has led integrated studies on ozone and fine particulate pollution in urban and industrial areas since 2018. Using laboratory, field and simulation methods, his research team quantified emissions from soil, vegetation and human activities, revealing previous underestimations and overestimations of certain pollution sources. The findings have improved air quality forecasting and informed new mitigation measures for haze and smog in China. The work provides vital evidence for clean air policymaking and will continue to analyse complex emission and oxidation processes.
Prof. YU Tao, Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations (RCDSE) and RISUD, Member of RILS and Research Centre for Resources Engineering towards Carbon Neutrality (RCRE), Associate Head (Research) and Professor of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, has launched a research project titled “Novel Sustainable Marine Engineering Structures Based on Seawater Sea-Sand Concrete and Fibre-Reinforced Composite Materials”. This innovative structure, which combines fibre-reinforced resin-based composite materials with seawater sea-sand concrete, demonstrates exceptional corrosion resistance and durability, effectively addressing the long-standing issue of steel reinforcement corrosion. This advancement supports broad engineering applications, not only enhancing the durability of structures, but also reducing energy consumption and environmental impact during construction, thereby transforming marine infrastructure. The project is coordinated by Prof. Yu, with PolyU President Prof. TENG Jin-Guang, President of PolyU serving as the advisory coordinator.
Prof. Asif Sohail USMANI, Management Committee Member of RISUD, Member of RIAM leads the “SureFire” project, which utilises advanced smart city technologies to enhance fire safety in high-rise urban environments. By integrating real-time monitoring, data networks and AI-based predictive analysis, the team has developed an intelligent tool capable of forecasting and managing fire emergencies. SureFire’s sensor-driven system supports emergency responders and aims to enable automated, casualty-free firefighting. The project’s vision is to revolutionise fire emergency management and strengthen uran resilience in smart cities.
Prof. NIU Jianlei, Associate Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Research Institute for Smart Energy (RISE), RISUD, Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) and Chair Professor of Building Environment and Energy, leads a project focused on creating healthy, resilient cities through thermally comfortable neighbourhoods. To cope with the urgent challenges posed by climate change, the research utilises big data, artificial intelligence, geographic information system (GIS) and building information modelling (BIM) to optimise urban design, even in dense, humid cities like Hong Kong. Through advanced modelling and microclimate analysis, the project aims to systematically design pleasant outdoor spaces, improve liveability and address climate challenges, ultimately enhancing citizens’ quality of life through innovative urban planning.
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跨領域科研推動社會進步 理大高等研究院學者助力香港可持續未來
五位理大高等研究院成員早前接受《香港01》訪問，詳細介紹他們獲研究資助局「主題式研究計劃」支持的研究。這些項目橫跨多個關鍵領域，從改善空氣質素、革新建築技術，到提升城市對災害的韌性，其突破性成果為香港及其他地區的未來發展帶來深遠影響。
可持續城市發展研究院院長、建設及環境學院院長、環境科學及技術講座教授及高贊明可持續城市發展教授李向東教授，專注研究微細懸浮粒子PM2.5——一種與嚴重健康風險相關的主要空氣污染物。他的團隊透過先進技術和全球合作，分析PM2.5的有害成分、來源及其與慢性疾病的關聯。項目旨在指引未來PM2.5研究方向、評估控制策略、檢視空氣質素指標，並為香港及其他地區提出政策建議。團隊的全面研究框架亦有助深化對PM2.5長期健康影響的理解，包括其與肺癌和神經退化性疾病的潛在關聯。
可持續城市發展研究院管理委員會成員、土地及空間研究院成員及土木及環境工程學系大氣環境講座教授王韜教授，自2018年起帶領團隊，對城市及工業區的臭氧和細顆粒污染進行綜合研究。研究團隊結合實驗分析、現場觀測及模擬方法，量化土壤、植被及人類活動的排放量，並揭示了以往部分污染源估算存在偏差。研究成果改善了空氣質素預測的準確度，亦為中國在霧霾和煙霧調控方面提供建議方案。這項工作為潔淨空氣政策的制定提供了重要的科學基礎，而團隊未來將針對當中複雜的排放和氧化過程作進一步研究。
可持續城市發展研究院副院長、深空探測研究中心副主任、土地及空間研究院及碳中和資源工程研究中心成員、土木及環境工程學系副主任（研究）及教授余濤教授，正進行一項名為「基於海水海砂混凝土及纖維增強複合材料的新型可持續海洋工程結構」的研究項目。這種新型結構由纖維增強樹脂基複合材料和海水海砂混凝土兩種物料結合建成，具備優良的抗腐蝕性和耐久性，能有效解決海洋工程領域長久以來的鋼筋鏽蝕問題。此項創新適合多種工程應用，不僅能令結構更耐用，同時能減少施工過程中的能源消耗和環境影響，為海洋基建帶來突破性革新。該項目由余教授統籌，並由理大校長滕錦光教授擔任顧問項目統籌。
由可持續城市發展研究院管理委員會成員、先進製造研究院成員、建築環境及能源工程學系系主任及建築科學和消防安全工程講座教授Asif Sohail Usmani教授領導的「SureFire」項目，利用先進智慧城市技術，提升高層城市環境的消防安全。團隊結合實時監測、數據網絡及人工智能預測分析，成功研發出一套用於預測和管理火災緊急情況的智能工具。SureFire的感應器系統可支援前線緊急救援人員，並致力於實現自動化、零傷亡的消防。項目旨在革新智慧城市的火災應急管理，全面提升城市的防災能力。
潘樂陶慈善基金智慧城市研究院副主任、潘樂陶慈善基金智慧能源研究院、可持續城市發展研究院及體育科技研究院成員、建築環境及能源學講座教授牛建磊教授，其領導的項目致力於設計「樂場」熱舒適社區，推動健康、韌性城市的建設。為應對愈趨嚴峻的氣候挑戰，團隊運用大數據、人工智能、地理資訊系統及建築信息模擬等技術，優化城市設計方案，使其適用於香港等高密度、潮濕的城市。通過先進建模和微氣候分析，項目旨在系統性地設計宜人的戶外空間，提升城市的宜居度和氣候韌性，以創新城市規劃提升市民生活質素。
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