HKUST at Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025

In an era characterized by growing environmental concerns and the pressing need for resilient and livable cities, the convergence of technology and sustainability has become increasingly crucial.

This presentation, featuring the Dean of Engineering and Director of the GREAT Smart Cities Institute from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), will highlight the key elements that drive smart innovations for sustainable cities and communities. Emphasizing on the concept of smart innovations, the speaker will explore how the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and big data analytics, can tackle pressing urban challenges, enhance resource efficiency, improve quality of life, and foster sustainable development. This talk aims to inspire and guide policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders in their quest for sustainable urban development.

• Exploring key factors required for building a smart and sustainable cities and communities
• Utilizing advanced technologies to address urban challenges and promote sustainable progress
• Showcasing the pivotal role of universities in fostering and supporting smart, sustainable city development

Speakers:

• Prof. Hong K. LO (Dean of Engineering and Director of GREAT Smart Cities Institute, HKUST)

This session will examine how universities are using the SDGs as a springboard to actively engage in partnerships with local governments, communities and industries to develop innovative urban solutions focused on sustainability, inclusivity and resilience. Focusing on relevant research and practical application in sustainable urban development, this session will:

• Review models of collaboration, lessons learned, challenges and opportunities between cities and universities
• Offer ideas for developing partnerships between universities and cities that advance the global agenda on creating inclusive, safe and resilient urban environments, aligned with SDG 11 and other SDGs

Speakers:

• Dr. Kenneth KM LEUNG (Director of Sustainability/Net-Zero Office, HKUST)

Under a “living lab” approach, university campuses become platforms for co-creating and testing sustainable development innovations while also strengthening sustainability education and accelerating research.  HKUST’s Living Labs program that has nurtured over 40 living labs projects since 2019 and will share experiences and lessons learned in:

• Creating value for diverse stakeholders
• Capturing impact and scaling beyond campus to achieve broader SDG outcomes
• Reflecting on key lessons from past initiatives and future directions for living labs

Speakers:

• Mr. Marcus LEUNG-SHEA (Assistant Director of Sustainability/ Net-Zero Office, HKUST)

This panel discussion will highlight the pivotal role universities play in enhancing urban climate resilience, with a focus on the use of predictive analytics to tackle climate-related challenges. Experts in this area will explore:

• The latest advances in weather prediction and how they can be applied to urban environments, particularly in tropical regions
• How predictive models can help to forecast climate impacts, allowing decision-makers to craft effective responses for resilient city infrastructure
• The crucial steps to transition scientific research into actionable strategies that can be implemented by city planners, policymakers and communities
• How universities can collaborate with governments, stakeholders and vulnerable communities to drive climate action and implement sustainable, climate-resilient urban solutions

Speakers:

• Prof. Alexis LAU (Head of Division of Environment and Sustainability and Director of the Institute for the Environment, HKUST)
• Prof. Fei CHEN (Co-chair of the WMO's Urban Prediction Project; Associate Head of Division of Environment and Sustainability, HKUST)

Moderator:

• Dr. Alison Elizabeth LLOYD (Associate Provost (Institutional Data and Research), HKUST)