News

Prof. LUO Xiapu awarded RGC Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme

Prof. LUO Xiapu has been awarded the Research Grants Council (RGC) Overseas Research Fellowship Scheme, which supports his pursuit of immersive research at leading overseas institutions, enhancing insights into the latest global trends in scientific research and innovation. Prof. LUO's research plan is: Bridging Hong Kong and Europe for Secure Web3: DeFi Risk Detection and Blockchain Infrastructure Hardening. Congratulations to Prof. LUO on this achievement.

PolyU research reveals snow droughts continue to threaten global food security and calls for climate-resilient agriculture practices to promote sustainable development

A research team led by Prof. WANG Shuo, Member of Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS), Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Associate Professor of Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, has utilised innovative explainable machine learning to uncover the persistent and significant negative impact of snow droughts on winter wheat yields, highlighting that global food security is facing unprecedented challenges. This breakthrough study provides key scientific evidence for building climate-resilient agriculture, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development.  The study was conducted in collaboration with scholars from The University of Hong Kong and the University of California, Irvine. The findings have been published in the international journal Nature Food.   Over the past 60 years, the frequency of snow droughts across the Northern Hemisphere’s winter wheat croplands has increased significantly. The proportion of croplands affected by snow drought surged from 46–54% in 1960–1970 to 70–99% in 2010–2020, reflecting the fact that snow droughts have evolved from a localised risk into a widespread phenomenon.   The research team developed the XGB-SHAP model framework to accurately identify the direct impact of snow drought on crop yields. The framework combines Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to effectively exclude interference from other climate factors such as high temperature and rainfall, enabling a quantitative analysis of the direct impact of snow drought on winter wheat yields. This study also systematically analysed snow–crop–water interactions, providing a robust empirical basis for developing climate-resilient agricultural systems.   Using the XGB-SHAP framework, the study found that approximately 45% of croplands in the Northern Hemisphere experienced significant adverse impacts from snow droughts, with Europe, Central Asia and the United States being the most severely affected regions. Meanwhile, in East Asia, the yield benefits of longer growing seasons due to warmer winters are gradually diminishing and the regional hydrothermal balance is becoming increasingly unstable. The study also identifies increased fertiliser use, intensified freezing stress and reduced precipitation as the three primary factors contributing to winter wheat’s increased sensitivity to snow drought. While enhanced soil nutrient levels can promote crop growth, they also make crops more dependent on the water supply and thermal insulation provided by snow cover. When snow drought occurs, these factors can amplify the risk of yield loss.   Looking ahead, the research team recommends strengthening the climate resilience of agricultural systems by enhancing crop varieties, improving agricultural management and monitoring risks. Alongside intensifying efforts to develop crop varieties with both cold and drought tolerance, agricultural management models have to shift from traditional, input-intensive production to more precise and sustainable nutrient management systems. Furthermore, snow cover monitoring should be incorporated into agricultural risk assessment and early warning systems. Identifying snow drought risks at an early stage and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems will ensure that stable food production is maintained in the face of climate change, steering global agriculture towards a more sustainable future.   Press release: https://polyu.me/4nOZhRH   Online coverage: The National Tribune - https://polyu.me/4dNTZ4t Mirage - https://polyu.me/42YLSx2 Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/4e8weVZ Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3RKk4dd

Prof. LU Haitian secures funding in Third Round of RAISe+ Scheme

Prof. LU Haitian, Management Committee Member of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) and Research Centre for Environmental, Social, and Governance Advancement (RCESGA), Member of Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD), and Hong Kong Sustaintech Foundation Professor in School of Accounting and Finance Project Title: WiseLaw: Next Generation Agentic AI for Legal Services Project Description:  WiseLaw Digital Technology Co., Ltd is Hong Kong’s first technology enterprise specialising in AI applications for cross-border legal and compliance services. Incubated by PolyU, WiseLaw brings together PolyU alumni and technical experts from leading internet companies in Chinese Mainland. WiseLaw deeply integrates AI with professional legal and compliance expertise, driving the intelligent transformation of legal services and corporate compliance management. As WiseLaw’s core product, “Lawrence” is an AI Digital Employee designed to empower corporations, financial institutions and law firms. Distinct from conventional software tools, Lawrence is built to “work like an employee”. It provides continuous support across cross-border business scenarios, including legal research, compliance review, contract analysis, risk identification, knowledge management and workflow coordination. Leveraging world-leading LLM capabilities and professional knowledge, further enhanced by WiseLaw’s proprietary Harness Engineering and Agentic Memory solutions, Lawrence enables users to improve operational efficiency, reduce compliance costs and mitigate legal risks. It provides enterprises with a more sophisticated and efficient framework for navigating global expansion and international operations.

Delegation Led by Mr. LU Guihua Visits Smart Cities Research Institute

A delegation led by Mr. LU Guihua, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visited The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 14 January 2026. The delegation was warmly received by Prof. SHI Wenzhong, John, Director of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI). During the visit, the delegation toured the University’s facilities and was introduced to PolyU’s academic achievements and research innovations. The delegation then visited SCRI, where in-depth discussions focused on smart city development, with particular emphasis on the intelligent and digital transformation of water resources and hydraulic engineering. The visit concluded with a fruitful exchange of ideas, fostering mutual understanding and exploring potential opportunities for future collaboration.

20 SCRI Scholars ranked among World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025

A total of 20 scholars from SCRI were ranked among the “World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists 2025” in the latest list released by Stanford University. The named SCRI scholars were included in the “Career-long Impact” list based on their career-long citation impact.   The World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists is compiled by Stanford University based on composite indicators of publication impact, including total citations, citations to single-authored publications and the H-index. It covers 22 subject fields and 174 sub-fields, and is divided into two lists in relation to scholars’ career-long citation and single-year citation impact, recognising their long-term and recent research impact.   SCRI is very proud to announce that the following members are on the "Career-long Impact" list: SCRI Scholars Field Prof. SHI Wenzhong, John Geological & Geomatics Engineering Ir Prof. NIU Jianlei Building & Construction Prof. CHEN Xiaojun Operations Research Prof. LI Ping, Andrew Experimental Psychology Prof. AWANGE Joseph Geological & Geomatics Engineering Prof. CAO Jiannong Networking & Telecommunications Prof. CHEN Anthony Logistics & Transportation Prof. CHEN Changwen Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing Prof. CHEN Jianli Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences Prof. HSU Li-ta Networking & Telecommunications Prof. HUANG Xinyan Energy Ir Prof. LAM Hing-keung, William Logistics & Transportation Prof. LUO Xiapu, Daniel Networking & Telecommunications Ir Prof. MAK Cheuk Ming Building & Construction Ir Prof. MUI Kwok Wai, Horace Building & Construction Prof. SHEN Qiping, Geoffrey Building & Construction Prof. TAN Kaychen Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing Prof. WENG Qihao Geological & Geomatics Engineering Prof. XIAO Bin Networking & Telecommunications Prof. ZHU Xiaolin Geological & Geomatics Engineering

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. Wu Chen 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.”   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

Three SCRI researchers receive Smart Traffic Fund totalling HK$10 million

Congratulations to three researchers of the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), for securing over HK$10 million funding in total from the Smart Traffic Fund. The three awarded projects are as follows:   Automated Monitoring Traffic Data System for Detector Status and Non-recurrent Events – led by Prof. Edward CHUNG Chin-shin, Member of SCRI, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Driving and Speed Guidance System for Heavy Goods Vehicles – led by Prof. HUANG Hailong, Member of SCRI, Assistant Professor in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering Smart Route Planning System – led by Dr YU Yue, Research Personnel of SCRI, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics   The Smart Traffic Fund was established by the HKSAR Government to provide funding support for projects in the research and application of innovation and technology aimed at enhancing commuting convenience, enhancing efficiency of the road network or road space, and improving driving safety.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University Delegation Visits SCRI for In-Depth Exchange on Smart Cities and Digital Transformation

The PolyU Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) was pleased to host a distinguished delegation from Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU) on 9 September 2025. The delegation, consisting of 2 faculty leaders and 23 high-achieving undergraduate students, visited SCRI to engage in meaningful academic exchange and explore advancements in smart city development and digital transformation. During the visit, SCRI researchers presented a comprehensive overview of the institute’s strategic projects and technological innovations. Key highlights included cutting-edge research in Urban Informatics, the application of Mobile Mapping Systems, the development of Digital Twins for urban planning, and the integration of Smart City technologies aimed at addressing complex urban challenges. The session provided valuable insights into how technology and innovation can be harnessed to create sustainable and efficient urban environments. The delegation participated in dynamic discussions, sharing perspectives and experiences related to smart city implementation and digital transformation. These exchanges fostered a mutually beneficial dialogue, strengthening collaborative ties between SJTU and SCRI while inspiring new ideas for future research and innovation. This visit underscores SCRI’s commitment to promoting knowledge exchange and building international partnerships in the pursuit of smarter, more resilient cities.

SCRI & ISUI hosts Global Smart Cities Summit cum the 4th International Conference on Urban Informatics and unveils Smart City Index 2025

Global Smart Cities Summit cum the 4th International Conference on Urban Informatics, co-organised by the Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the International Society for Urban Informatics (ISUI) concluded at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), uniting over 600 experts, government officials, industry leaders, and innovators from 20+ countries and attracting 110,000+ online viewers globally. The conference also brings together over 240 speakers from around the world to share cutting-edge insights and innovations in urban informatics and smart city development. During the event, a PolyU research team announced the Smart City Index, which aims to help cities worldwide formulate sustainable development strategies. Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President said, “Pressing urban challenges — from energy insecurity and global warming to ageing populations and land shortages — demand innovative thinking and multifaceted solutions. As one of PolyU’s strategic innovation domains, smart cities have long been a focus of research, encompassing big data analytics, remote sensing, geomatics computing, and other cutting-edge disciplines. Through SCRI under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), we will further integrate interdisciplinary research capabilities to drive sustainable development in Hong Kong and cities worldwide.” Dr Stephen WONG Yuen-shan, Head of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government said, “Hong Kong has always valued and continuously leveraged its role as a ‘super connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ status as an international city. The Conference is a perfect demonstration of our ongoing efforts to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration with international peers. The Smart City Index developed by PolyU research team also gives us good insight into best practices of how cities around the world serve the lived experiences, needs and wellbeing of its citizens.” The Conference aims to advance global smart city development and urban informatics to provide a scientific foundation for smart cities. By integrating urban science, geographic information science and computer science, urban informatics leverages its interdisciplinary advantage to develop innovative solutions for addressing complex urban challenges. The Conference features keynote speeches by internationally renowned scientists, forums with government and industry leaders, and innovation and technology exhibitions. The event serves as an excellent platform to foster collaborations among government, industry, academia, and research sectors in the field of smart cities. SCRI and ISUI also jointly announced the ISUI Smart City Index 2025, developed by a team led by Prof. John Wenzhong SHI, Director of SCRI, Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing, and President of ISUI. The Index utilises a human-centric evaluation framework, comprising six dimensions — citizen, environment, social landscape, economy, infrastructure and governance, across 97 indicators. With a focus on how smart city initiatives enhance the daily lives of citizens, the Index empowers cities around the globe to assess their progress and enables authorities to better formulate strategies for a smarter and more sustainable future. Conventional smart city assessments typically emphasise the priorities of advanced economies and tend to rely on restricted data. In contrast, the Smart City Index adopts an inclusive approach applicable to cities across all development stages – from advanced, to developing and emerging economies, and utilises only publicly available data. This broader perspective enables more relevant and effective policy formulation worldwide. The Index assessed 73 cities worldwide, with the top 10 ranked cities being Stockholm, Washington, D.C., Barcelona, London, Tokyo, Zurich, New York, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, and Oslo. Hong Kong ranked eighth globally and second in Asia, outperforming major regional competitors such as Singapore, as well as key cities in Europe and North America. Notably, Hong Kong excelled in the dimensions of environment, economy, and governance. In addition, the Conference will host presentation of the Outstanding Achievement Award in Urban Informatics, the Smart City Technology Innovation Awards, the Paper of the Year Award for ISUI’s journal Urban Informatics, and the Best Conference Paper and Presentation Award. Details of the Conference: https://www.isocui.org/icui2025 Full report of the Smart City Index 2025: https://www.isocui.org/smart_city_index Conference Photos: https://www.isocui.org/icui2025/about/photo

Prof. SHI Wenzhong on Smart City Index in RTHK programmes

Prof. John SHI Wenzhong, Director of Otto Poon Charitable Foundation Smart Cities Research Institute (SCRI), Chair Professor of Geographical Information Science and Remote Sensing, and President of the International Society for Urban Informatics, was interviewed by RTHK’s radio programmes “Hong Kong Today” and “Open Line Open View” to elaborate on the “Smart City Index”. Developed by Prof. Shi and his team, the index aims to help cities worldwide formulate sustainable smart city development strategies. Hong Kong was named second-highest performing Asian city in the rankings at eighth place.   Online coverage: RTHK Hong Kong Today - https://polyu.me/3UlPgO9 (40:28 - 44:01) RTHK Open Line Open View - https://polyu.me/4foflFS (1:06:30 - 1:16:17)