News

Recently, the RGC has announced the results of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) / Research Grants Council (RGC) Joint Research Scheme 2025/26 (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/nsfc/funded_research/list_award_e2025.html). The collaborative research project, entitled “Multivariate assessment, AI-supported prediction, and systematic reduction of lifecycle carbon emissions of the building stock of high-density cities”, led by Prof. Wei Pan from The University of Hong Kong and Prof. Da Yan from Tsinghua University, has been awarded funding of HK$1,178,000 and NSFC Funding of RMB¥1,000,000 (Project Number: N_HKU764/25; NSFC Grant Number: 52561160148).

Project Summary

Energy saving and carbon reduction are critical and urgent in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to meet “dual carbon” goals of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving neutrality by 2050/2060 while supporting the global goal of keeping warming below 1.5°C by 2100. The carbon emission of the building industry causes 37% of the global carbon emissions, so it is necessary to analyze and mitigate lifecycle carbon emissions (LCCE). City-level LCCE analysis is important, as the building stock significantly impacts city carbon output. There are two main methods to evaluate lifecycle carbon assessment (LCCA): bottom-up and top-down. Bottom-up models integrate with detailed data on individual buildings and are great for testing specific technologies or policies, but are constrained by high data requirements and complex modeling processes. Top-down methods use broader, easier-to-get data but fail to break down emissions by activity or source, making it hard to plan future fixes on policy or technology. City-level LCCA for the building stock faces challenges: 1) insufficient integration of multiple factors, with complexities and uncertainties arising from scaling LCCA to urban levels; 2) difficulties in identifying critical parameters influencing LCCE in high-density urban contexts, coupled with limited understanding of data dynamics, complexity, uncertainty, and long-term impacts; and 3) immature integration of AI techniques with LCCA models, despite AI’s potential to enhance emission prediction, optimization, and climate change mitigation.

This project will address a main research question: How can the lifecycle carbon emissions of the building stock at the city level be comprehensively assessed, accurately predicted and systematically reduced under the “dual carbon” goals in China and the global carbon neutrality target? The project will be carried out over 48 months in three linked tasks: 1) develop and validate a multivariate LCCA model using the combination of top-down and bottom-up methods for the building stock of high-density cities; 2) assess the impact of critical parameters and variables and their relevant data missingness, dynamics, complexity and uncertainty and on the LCCE of the building stock through univariate and multivariate analysis; 3) integrate advanced AI techniques into the assessment model to predict LCCE toward 2050/2100 and develop optimal scenarios and strategies. The project outcomes will greatly advance the knowledge, method and practice of multivariate assessment, AI-supported prediction, and systematic reduction of LCCE of the building stock of high-density cities.

The project management team will include six investigators from The University of Hong Kong, Tsinghua University and Southeast University to cover expertise in life cycle carbon emission analysis, construction management, and green building. They will collaborate with relevant government bureaus, departments and industry organizations.

On 12 November 2025, HKU MiCLab and Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) co-organised a local workshop aimed at engaging industry stakeholders of Hong Kong on their views over the development of the Modular Integrated Construction Standards for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (“MiC GBA Standards”).

The workshop brought together representatives from government departments and construction industry associations in Hong Kong to discuss the framework and content of the MiC GBA Standards. The event marks a key milestone in the development of the MiC GBA Standards. The valuable feedback gathered in the workshop will be used to further refine the Standard and prepare for next stage of engagement exercise.

More:
https://www.miclab.hk/standard-workshop

HKU MiCLab has leveraged its proprietary 3D Swept Path Analysis (SPA) technology to support the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) in achieving safe and efficient transport of over-dimensional prefabricated footbridge segments for the Fanling Bypass project.

Supported by the Smart Traffic Fund (PSRI/69/2306/RA), MiCLab developed the 3D SPA tool to optimize the planning of oversized cargo transport operations, such as prefabricated modules in construction and heavy machinery. It is expected to reduce transportation risks and enhance approval efficiency by over 40%.

The project features a distinctive circular footbridge with a maximum width of 7.8 meters, exceeding standard dual-lane road widths. To maximize construction efficiency, the engineering team pioneered an "in-factory prefabrication + modular transport" strategy. Pre-assembled bridge modules were manufactured at mainland factories, shipped to Hong Kong by sea, and transported via an innovative 12-meter tilted modular configuration to navigate the 34-kilometer complex land route.

Faced with the challenge of transporting the widest footbridge modules in Hong Kong’s public road history, MiCLab collaborated closely with the CEDD and the Lands Department. Utilizing geospatial data collected by the Lands Department’s mobile mapping system, MiCLab applied its 3D SPA to conduct high-accuracy and immersive simulations of the transport route. This innovative technology identified and mitigated potential risks, significantly boosting confidence among regulators, including the Transport Department and the Police Force, thereby accelerating approval processes. Through government-industry-university close coordination, all modules of the 370-meter-long footbridge were successfully transported in 12 overnight operations.

Porject Video:
CEDD Promotion Video

The Chief Executive's Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government held the "Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS) and Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (SPPRFS) Policy Research Seminar 2025" on April 1, 2025. The theme of this seminar was "Innovation Leading High-Quality Development and Deepening International Exchanges and Cooperation", with over 130 representatives from universities, think tanks, experts from various sectors, and Legislative Council members participating on-site and online.

The research project, entitled “Enhancing Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong (HK) Development”, is funded by the SPPRFS and led by Professor Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Director of MiCLab and Executive Director of CICID, HKU. As the Principal Investigator of the research project, Prof Pan was invited to share the research findings at the Seminar. He reviewed the MiC developments in Hong Kong, reported the major findings of the research project especially on the MiC supply and demand analysis and policy roadmap with an action plan, and outlined the recommendations.

About the SPPRFS
The SPPRFS is aimed at encouraging local think tank experts and scholars (including universities and civil society think tanks) to apply their expertise to conduct evidence-based research on key public policy issues, and to facilitate the knowledge transfer of research findings to policy considerations, serving as a channel for the Government to tap the public policy research expertise of society.

Full article (Chinese only):
https://www.cepu.gov.hk/sc/PUEG/expertGroup_events/20250401.html

“The 2nd Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Construction Science and Technology Forum” was held successfully on 27 March 2025, in Guangzhou. This Forum was jointly hosted by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Building Technology Alliance, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research Group Co., Ltd., and the Hong Kong Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi). The Forum is aimed at deepening the co-operation within the Greater Bay Area and taking forward the integration and synergistic development in the construction industry. Modular Integrated Construction Laboratory (MiCLab) of The University of Hong Kong was invited by BTRi to attend the forum and showcase the acievements.

MiCLab showcased the achievements on MiC-related research and innovation, including MiConnection (Novel Connection System), MiCheck (Quality check robots for smart module manufacturing), MiCarry (Oversize cargo transport planning and monitoring), MiCrane (Autonomous Crane Lifting), MiCarbon (Carbon Emissions Tracking) and MiChain (Supply Chain Digitalisation). Also, MiCLab presented the achievements on “Government-Industry-University” collaboration, MiC booklets for the industry, as well as consultancy and technical service projects.

Professor Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Director of MiCLab and Executive Director of CICID, HKU, was invited to present an article entitled “Standing on Modular Integrated Construction, Promoting Synergistic Development in the Greater Bay Area, and Creating World-class Brands”.

The article pointed out that Modular Construction (MiC), as an innovative construction method, has been widely recognised for its advantages in “Enhancing Speed, Quantity, Quality and Efficiency”, promoting the restructuring and upgrading of the construction industry, and solving social problems such as housing supply in Hong Kong. The supply chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) creates exciting synergies and opportunities for the development of MiC in Hong Kong, which not only helps to solve the severe challenges faced by the construction industry in Hong Kong but also consolidates the leading position of Hong Kong construction industry in the GBA. Therefore, with the support from the Strategic Public Policy Research (SPPR) Funding Scheme administered by the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the author and his research team conducted a pro-activist project entitled “Enhancing Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Supply Chain in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong Development”. The project analyses MiC-related policies and regulations, collects opinions from various practitioners, and uses mathematical modelling to analyse the demand for MiC in Hong Kong and the supply of MiC in the GBA in the coming ten years. On this basis, a policy roadmap with action plans for enhancing MiC supply chain in the GBA is proposed for short-term (up to 2025/26), medium-term (up to 2027/28) and long-term (up to 2032/33) development.

Full article:
https://www.wenweipo.com/a/202503/12/AP67d17b57e4b0abeb231e7d69.html

The Development Bureau (DEVB) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government hosted the International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit on 15 November 2024, bringing together more than 500 major infrastructure project leaders and experts in infrastructure from over 20 countries and economies around the globe, including senior government officials from Mainland and overseas countries, and representatives of renowned international organisations such as the World Economic Forum and International Institute for Management Development, to delve into the strategies and policies of infrastructure delivery plans, and addressed the challenges and opportunities in implementing mega infrastructure projects under the theme of “Strategic Leadership in Managing Complexity and Uncertainty in Infrastructure Delivery”.

The event featured a series of keynote presentations and three plenary sessions, gathering prominent infrastructure leaders and experts from various sectors worldwide, including government, academia, construction and finance, to share the latest initiatives and challenges facing infrastructure development. The three plenary sessions included the themes of “The Next Growth Curve”, “Powerful Partnerships”, and “Building Tomorrow”. Professor Pan Wei, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Executive Director of the Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), and Director of the Modular Integrated Construction Laboratory (MiCLab), was invited as a panelist for the third plenary session. He shared HKU CICID's frontier research achievements in smart construction and sustainable infrastructure development, in particular, the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Infrastructure Sustainability Assessment Tool (iSAT). Also, he highlighted, “Innovation and digital technologies are rapidly changing the infrastructure construction industry, it is critical to integrate multi-discipline and strengthen government-university-industry collaboration to harness innovation and digital technology to reshape infrastructure development, driving the industry to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability”.

To drive innovative applications in the construction industry, DEVB established the Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) in August this year. At the summit, the BTRi signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research, the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, and three local universities, namely the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. These MoU would expand the collaboration network of the BTRi for the promotion of innovative applications in the construction industry. BTRi focuses on promoting applied research and development (R&D), reviewing and uplifting standards, as well as providing accreditation, certification and testing. It launched the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Manufacturer Accreditation Scheme on 15 November 2024 to promote the application and technology development of MiC in Hong Kong, which would consolidate Hong Kong's leading position in the international leadership of MiC technology. HKU will work closely with BTRi to promote the R&D and application of innovative construction technologies, together enhancing the industry productivity, cost-effectiveness and site safety performance and addressing the critical challenges of the Hong Kong infrastructure development and the construction industry.

Source:
Development Bureau, HKSAR Government https://www.devb.gov.hk/en/sdev/press/index_id_13987.html

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Intelligent Construction Cooperation Development Conference and the Founding Conference for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Intelligent Construction Industry Development Alliance (ICIDA) were held on September 26, 2024, at the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research. Under the guidance of the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province, the Education and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and the Development Bureau of the HKSAR, the Conference was hosted by the ICIDA and undertaken by the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research Group Co., Ltd. and the Hong Kong Building Technology Research Institute. Professor Pan Wei, Director of the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Hong Kong, Executive Director of the Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), and Director of the MiC Laboratory (MiCLab), was appointed as the Chief Consultant of the ICIDA for his leadership for and contribution to smart construction development. CICID was appointed as the Vice Chairman Unit of the ICIDA. Moreover, Prof. Pan delivered a keynote entitled "Smart Modular Integrated Construction (SMART MiC)" at the Conference.

ICIDA focuses on promoting the high-quality development of intelligent construction and new-type construction industrialization through "New quality productive forces", and adheres to intelligent, digital, and information as the engine to drive the deep transformation and comprehensive upgrade of the construction industry.

CICID is committed to promoting research, discourse and dissemination of innovations in infrastructure, construction management and methodologies. It focuses on various research areas, including low-carbon/zero-carbon buildings, construction informatics/intelligence, innovative project delivery, and building industrialisation/modularisation.

MiCLab is dedicated to leading the sustainable development of high-rise, high-density cities with continuous innovations in smart MiC through multidisciplinary integration and Government-Industry-University collaboration.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development (CSTID) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Mainland and Hong Kong Construction Forum 2024 on March 26.

The MoU seeks to strengthen the Industry-University collaboration on exploring opportunities to promote the effective use of modular integrated construction (MiC) for quality housing and to support the research and development of MiC in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Professor PAN Wei, Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Director of MiCLab, HKU and Mr ZHANG Feng, Chief Engineer of CSTID represented the two parties in the signing. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr ZENG Xianxin, Director-General, Department of Construction Market Supervision of MOHURD, Ms Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government, Mr ZHANG Yong, Director-General, Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province, and Mr. YE Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR.

The collaborative efforts between the parties encompass the development of technical guidance and standards for MiC buildings, secure research funding, conduct collaborative research and consultation, explore state-of-the-art research and development opportunities and apply for recognition as a national or provincial lab or centre for innovations.

A multidisciplinary research team led by Professor Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Hong Kong disrupts MiC module transport by developing a smart planning platform for safe and efficient MiC module transport. This project has secured a funding support of HK$19,326,900 from the Smart Traffic Fund (Project Reference: PSRI/69/2306/RA). With additional matching funds from the university and industry, the total project budget amounts to HK$21,475,900.

The innovative smart planning platform will offer three core technologies that promise to revolutionise MiC module transport in Hong Kong, including 3D Swept Path Analysis (SPA), Swept Path-Aware Routing (SPR), and Traffic Impact Review (TIR). These cutting-edge technologies will help reduce module transport safety risks by at least 40% compared to daily routing tools and improve swept path analysis efficiency by at least 50% and traffic impact review efficiency by at least 40% compared to current practice. This 24-month project has kicked off recently and should safeguard the safe, efficient, and environmentally-friendly MiC module transport system of Hong Kong, ultimately benefiting the entire community.

Professor Wei Pan, Principal Investigator of the project, expressed enthusiasm about the disruptive nature of this research, and said, "The Smart Planning Platform will not only streamline MiC module transport but also contribute to Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint 2.0 and Smart Mobility Roadmap for Hong Kong. We are confident that this project will greatly enhance the safety and efficiency of MiC module transport." Professor Pan also expressed his gratitude to the wide range of government bureaus and departments, as well as industry organisations, for their strong support of the project.

The Chief Executive, Mr LEE Ka-chiu John, in his Policy Address 2023, said that the Development Bureau will continue to invest in infrastructure, promote Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) technologies, and motivate applied research and digitalisation of the construction industry, to further enhance the infrastructure project performance, expedite housing supply, and enhance Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness.

"We are delighted to see the various initiatives supporting the construction industry and infrastructure development in the Chief Executive's 2023 Policy Address, such as the further promotion of MiC and smart construction technologies. HKU Department of Civil Engineering supports the initiatives by seeking innovation-driven and problem-solving-oriented solutions for enhancing construction productivity and sustainability continuously," said Professor Wei Pan, Head of Department of Civil Engineering, Executive Director of Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID) and Director of MiC Laboratory (MiCLab) of The University of Hong Kong.

A signed article entitled “MiC: 0→1, 1→∞” （「組裝合成」建造 從零到一 從一到無窮） by CICID Executive Director Professor Wei PAN was published on Sing Tao Daily.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) received four awards today (December 14) in the MiC Achievement Ceremony 2022.

The HKU Wong Chuk Hang Student Residence Site received the Outstanding MiC Project Award. Professor Wei Pan, Executive Director of the HKU Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID), and Director of Estates of HKU Ir K.L. Tam both received the Outstanding People (MiC Advocator) Award. Dr Louis Chu, Project Director of Wong Chuk Hang Student Residence Site, received the MiC Project Champion (Outstanding Project Team Members) Award.

The Centre for Innovation in Construction & Infrastructure Development (CICID) of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a conference named “Hong Kong 2050 – A City for the People: Capacity, Innovation, Smart and Sustainability” today (December 12) to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

"CICID has proven to be a major driver in propelling innovation and best practices in the construction industry and an unfailing partner in supporting DEVB and government’s initiatives", Ms. Bernadette Linn, JP, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government said in her Opening Address, adding: "Capacity, Innovation, Smart and Sustainability are the key elements for a brighter tomorrow for Hong Kong.”

As the Centre for Innovation in Construction & Infrastructure Development (CICID) celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2022, participants were invited to propose a logo design which could reflect the changing focuses of CICID over the past 20 years while setting the scene for the next 20 years and more. The competition was open to HKU Alumni, staff, students and associates of HKU CICID, and submissions were made in the Participant’s own capacity.

The Competition was launched on 8 July 2022 and a total of 7 entries were received. These entries were adjudicated by a Judging Panel of five members. Members of the Judging Panel selected one winner and two finalists among the entries and the identities of the Participants were revealed after members of the Judging Panel have made their final decision.

The Winner of the competition was Miss Iris Jiewen Wu, while Dr Mi Pan and the team comprising Dr Jet Zhenjie Zheng and Prof Sam Y.S. Chan were selected as Finalists. The Winner and the two Finalists were each presented a Prize Certificate and a Cash Cheque at the CICID 20th Anniversary Conference on 12 December 2022.

The Logo will replace the current logo with immediate effect.

A team of HKU Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development (CICID) led by Professor Wei Pan in role of academic collaborator achieved BIM Achievement 2022 Award. The award was presented by the Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Construction Industry Council to HKU Wong Chuk Hang Student Residence Site under the category of BIM Projects 2022 on 19 October 2022.

In the Policy Address today, Chief Executive Mr Lee Ka-chiu said that the Development Bureau will establish a cross-departmental steering committee for coordinating the development of high productivity construction methods such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) to uplift the productivity of the construction industry and to strengthen the leading regional position of Hong Kong’s construction industry in the adoption of MiC. Mr Lee also mentioned that the Hong Kong Housing Authority and Hong Kong Housing Society will adopt the MiC approach in more public housing projects to enhance the speed of project delivery.

"The Policy Address 2022 delivered by the Chief Executive makes far-reaching impact on the construction industry through encouraging more innovation and technology adoption such as MiC, which greatly boosts the confidence of not only the industry locally but also the whole supply chain in the Greater Bay Area and beyond. We welcome the initiatives proposed in this Policy Address and believe that the initiatives and strategies will effectively address the critical challenges faced by the built environment," said Professor Wei Pan, Executive Director of the Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development and Director of MiC Laboratory of The University of Hong Kong.