Issued Date
2023-10-10
We cordially invite you to the HKIH 35th Anniversary Symposium on 24 Oct 2023, a half-day event that aims to provide a platform for housing management professionals to exchange valuable experiences and ideas. Please refer to the following poster for more details.
Final call for registration:
https://buff.ly/3CUJwCo
Speaker's Abstract
| Session | Time | Speaker | Abstract | |
| Session 1: Revitalizing Community: Inspiring a Sustainable Future | 2:30pm – 2:50pm | Presenter 1 | Ir WAI Chi Sing, GBS, JP, FHKEng Managing Director Urban Renewal Authority | Topic: Building a Sustainable Future through Rehabilitation and Joint Property Management Urban renewal in Hong Kong in the past decades was very much out-paced by the rate of urban decay. For efficient land and financial resource utilization, as well as minimizing unnecessary carbon emissions during redevelopment process, the speaker will share the initiatives developed by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA). Other than good planning and design of which URA has developed a variety of tools and measures, the success of urban renewal often hinges upon sufficiency of building rehabilitation. Hence, the speaker will emphasize the primary responsibility for building repair rests with property owners. To equip their knowledge and confidence in coordinating building rehabilitation works, the URA has carried out a series of promotional strategies and maintenance programmes to assist the owners in building management. Redevelopment will be pursued as the last resort and targeted at those old buildings in dilapidated conditions. The speaker will also share the revitalized neighbourhood in Staunton Street through community making in realising sustainable urban renewal as well as a larger scale trial using integrated approach and joint property management in the Lung Shing area of Kowloon City. By prioritizing the efforts in building and community management, Hong Kong can unleash its full potential of land resources to support the cityscape for more generations to come. |
| 2:50pm – 3:10pm | Presenter 2 | Prof. Rebecca L.H. CHIU MH, JP Honorary Professor of Faculty of Architecture and Department of Urban Planning and Design The University of Hong Kong | Topic: Sustainable and Liveable City through Housing Management Hong Kong’s high-rise, high-density and mixed-use housing estates are reputable, as they enable a convenient, safe and vibrant living environment. They are also environmentally and socially sustainable as the housing form is land-efficient, and community facilities, social services, public transport, public space are generally accessible within walking distance. Importantly, supportive and estate management services are provided on-site. COVID-19 nonetheless posed unprecedented challenges to Hong Kong’s living environment. As one of the cities with the lowest infected rates until the virus became air-borne in early 2022, Hong Kong had well withstood the test before then. The severe fifth wave nonetheless aroused great concern about combating the epidemic in a compact living environment. The presentation will share, with conceptual interpretation, some of the major findings of a study jointly conducted by HKIH and HKU. It investigates the implications and inspiration of the COVID-19 epidemic to the housing management sector in improving and maintaining Hong Kong as a sustainable and liveable city in normal and epidemic situations. The presentation will discuss residents’ perceptions of the services and contribution of property management in ensuring estate livability and residents’ wellbeing during the epidemic, as well as housing managers’ inspiration from the epidemic challenge. | |
| 3:10pm – 3:30pm | Presenter 3 | Prof. Christine LOH, SBS, JP, OBE Chief Development Strategist at the Institute for the Environment Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | Topic: Housing Management in the Era of Sustainability and ESG Professor Christine Loh will discuss what achieving sustainability means when the HKSAR Government has set targets to achieve energy saving and carbon reduction by 2035 and for Hong Kong to be carbon neutral by 2050. Moreover, the authorities are interested in improving the wellbeing of public housing tenants, which will have a spill-over effect on all public sector building management. Drivers for private sector property owners and managers include not only government policy but also pressure from their investors and bankers to disclose their climate and sustainability targets and timelines. Professor Loh will share research and ideas from the academic sector about how Hong Kong can retrofit buildings to achieve both environmental and social-cum-wellbeing improvements concurrently at reasonable costs, which will also enable the property management sector to meet the expectation in the era of sustainability and ESG. | |
| 4:05pm – 4:25pm | Presenter 4 | Ms. Lillian CHEONG, JP Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Innovation and Technology Bureau | Topic: Smart City and Innovative Housing Management Hong Kong has scarce land but a large population. Solving the housing needs has long been one of the challenges ahead of the Government. In addition to traditional challenges such as high demand, limited supply, affordability and quality of housing, the quest for environmental friendliness, sustainability and quality management also prompt us to consider strategically with creativity on how to manage our housing resources more efficiently while improving the sense of happiness and satisfaction of citizens. Smart City is not just about technology, but more importantly, how to create a more liveable, inclusive and resilient urban environment through technology and innovation to meet the needs and aspirations of citizens. This session will discuss about how the Government enhance the housing management and living quality through the promotion of smart city initiatives. | |
| 4:25pm – 4:55pm | Presenter 5 | Mr. Sun Kin Kwok, Darron External Affairs Committee Chair Hong Kong PropTech Association | Topic: PropTech for Housing Management The rapid advancements in technology have transformed various industries, and the real estate sector is no exception. In recent years, the emergence of Property Technology (PropTech) has revolutionized the way housing management is conducted. This talk aims to explore the transformative potential of PropTech in the realm of property management. PropTech refers to the integration of technology and innovation into the real estate industry, enabling streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and enhanced tenant experiences. This talk will delve into the key areas where PropTech is making a significant impact on property management. The talk will highlight the benefits and opportunities offered by PropTech solutions and will address the challenges and potential risks associated with adopting PropTech solutions, such as data security concerns and the need for upskilling property management professionals. Ultimately, this talk will provide valuable insights into the transformative power of PropTech in property management, offering a glimpse into the future of real estate operations and tenant experiences. | |
| Session 3: Intergenerational Happiness: Promoting Social Cohesion and Community | 4:55pm – 5:15pm | Presenter 6 | Ms. Janice CHIA Founder & Managing Director Ageing Asia | Topic: Creating Socially Connected Communities for Ageing in Asia The aging population, particularly the baby boomer generation in Asia Pacific, is redefining the perception of aging. With over 1.2 billion seniors, the old stereotypes of frailty and weakness no longer apply. Baby boomers, better educated, more independent, and healthier than previous generations, are aging differently. Their attitudes and preferences will shape future care facilities, focusing on aging-in-place. Loneliness among seniors has significant personal and economic costs. Social engagement is crucial for emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. The social engagement model emphasizes meaningful activities and connections to energize seniors, including strength training, social gatherings, workshops, and technology-based activities. The future trend revolves around social health communities, enabling aging-in-place. This model emphasizes empowerment, personalization, and preventive healthcare, reducing loneliness by grouping elders into small community families of around 200 individuals. Enablement services aim to help seniors live independently, while personalization recognizes the diversity in their medical, cognitive, and physical needs. Preventive healthcare and an active aging lifestyle are priorities. Baby boomers, now part of the massive $4.56 trillion silver economy, value independence, health, and purpose in aging. They want to be enabled, not served, with a focus on happiness and laughter. The new interpretation of filial piety in Asia is to enable their independence and well-being as they age. |
| 5:15pm – 5:35pm | Presenter 7 | Ms. Alice Lui Deputy Executive Director The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups | Topic: Engaging Youth Participation in the Aging Society This presentation introduces two innovative projects: the Intergenerational H.E.Y. Hub Project and the Digital SAY Project. Both aim to foster youth participation in addressing the needs of the aging society in Hong Kong. The Intergenerational H.E.Y. (Healthy.Elderly.Youth) Hub Project in Jat Min Chuen, Shatin, focuses on enhancing the well-being of the elderly by promoting community connectivity through intergenerational play intervention and fun activities. By involving youth and the young olds in organizing and facilitating these initiatives, the project not only helps the elderly connect with their community, improve their happiness and cognitive abilities, but also provides an opportunity for youth to gain valuable insights and experience in the elderly care industry. Additionally, a group of volunteers is trained to sustain the impact of the project. The Digital SAY (Seniors And Youth) project, on the other hand, empowers the elderly by teaching them essential skills in using smartphones and digital devices. By leveraging the technological expertise of the youth, this project enables the elderly to bridge the digital divide, stay connected, and systematically record their health situation. Through these projects, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups seeks to create a win-win situation, benefiting both the elderly and the youth. The elderly receive support in acquiring new skills, becoming happier and healthier, while the youth gain practical experience in the elderly care industry and learn from the wisdom and knowledge of the older generation. | |
| 5:35pm – 5:55pm | Presenter 8 | Mr. LING Kar Kan, SBS Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | Topic: Innovative Programs for Promoting Social Inclusion in Housing Management The Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (JCDISI) aims to enhance age inclusivity and living quality by extending its focus beyond building homes to creating communities. Social inclusion in housing development can be achieved through a combination of hardware design and software programmes, with housing management as an effective software prong to provide crucial support to the community and driving intergenerational cohesion and happiness. A notable case study conducted by JCDISI involves the design of an intergenerational playspace in a public rental housing estate with high elderly population. Through engaging estate managers, residents, built environment professionals, academia, and physical health practitioners, the co-design methodology enables estate managers to gain a better understanding of the community's needs and aspirations, and inspires innovative solutions that challenge beyond standard procedures. The established methodology holds potential for the Northern Metropolis to create vibrant and inclusive neighbourhoods that prioritise user experience, social inclusion and community-building. |
