Research Projects
Architecture, Surveying, Urban Planning and Urban Studies
Research Projects
Administrative,
Business and
Social Studies
Medicine,
Dentistry
and Health:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Civil and
Structural
Engineering
Electrical and
Electronic
Engineering
Computing
Sciences,
Information
Technology
and Applied
Mathematics
Mechanical,
Production and
Industrial
Engineering
including
Textiles and
Clothing
TRACKING ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES IN HONG KONG
To compile an inventory of Hong Kong social surveys dealing with environmental quality issues and to analyse responses in these surveys to identify the nature and extent of changes in environemntal attitudes.
Investigators: Dr. W.F. Barron (Principal)
Professor P.R. Hills
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
VIRTUAL REALITY
To demonstrate the principles of virtual reality.
Investigators: Mr. J.W. Bradford (Principal)
Mr. B.F. Will
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
SPATIAL AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AND SOUTH CHINA: A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
To study regional development strategies which includes economic restructuring and spatial transformation in south China. The symbiotic relation between Hong Kong and south China on the economic front is evident. With the setting up of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), there is a need to further evaluate her role from the spatial perspective, in addition to the economic one.
Investigator: Dr. R.C.K. Chan
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF PACKAGE DEAL CONTRACTS IN HONG KONG
To investigate the conditions under which package deal contract is the most economical method of procurement; to test empirically whether package deal contracts under such conditions result in lower unit construction costs compared with other procurement methods.
Investigator: Professor K.W. Chau
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
ESTIMATION OF THE HISTORICAL PRICE TRENDS OF HONG KONG'S REAL ESTATE MARKETS
To construct real estate price series that are longer, more reliable and at lower levels of aggregation than those already available in Hong Kong.
Investigator: Professor K.W. Chau
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.12
A COMPUTER ASSISTED LANDSCAPE PLANT SELECTION MULTI-MEDIA DATABASE
To produce a digital planting selection database complete with digitized images and voice recording for popular landscaping plants. The database will implement a design criteria matrix selection system geared for designers such as landscape architect as well as architects and interested layman.
Investigator: Mr. L.H.C. Chen
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.07
CONSTRUCTING A HEAVY DUTY COMPUTERISED UNIVERSAL DIRECT SUNLIGHT HELIODON
To innovate and construct an outdoor tool for research, teaching and design of direct sunlight on buildings.
Investigator: Mr. K.P. Cheung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
CONSTRUCTING A COMPUTERISED INSOLATION/SHADING DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR BUILDING MODEL TESTING USING HELIODONS
To innovate and construct a computerised tool for collecting insolation/shading data on modelled building surfaces for building energy efficiency studies, with physical building models to be tested by heliodons.
Investigator: Mr. K.P. Cheung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.11
CONSTRUCTING A MULTI-LAMP MULTI-PVC MIRROR HELIODON FOR ARCHITECTURAL SCHOOLS
To construct an innovative heliodon for testing building models in the laboratory for solar shading and insolation effect; to promise the inter-related issues of light quality, speed of operation, and physical stability of the building model; to popularise heliodon provision in architectural schools for the benefit of enhancing solar design for buildings in teaching and in research; to produce detailed manuals to enable interested architectural schools to manufacture the helidon in do-it-yourself manner.
Investigator: Mr. K.P. Cheung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY IN HONG KONG: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
To critically and comprehensively analyze and evaluate the public housing policy of Hong Kong and make recommendation for future development.
Investigator: Dr. R.L.H. Chiu
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG
To investigate environmental issues pertaining to the development of a sustainable housing system in Hong Kong.
Investigators: Dr. R.L.H. Chiu (Principal)
Dr. B. Jia
Departments: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Architecture
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.11
FRAGMENTED MEMORIES: TRANSFORMATION OF VILLAGE COMMUNITIES IN KAM TIN
To the more important Kam Tin villages in order to preserve for posterity a record of possibly the last distinguished examples of Hong Kong's indigenous vernacular.
Investigators: Dr. L. DiStefano (Principal)
Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.03
THE NATURE OF CONSTRAINTS TO IMPROVED HOUSING IN CHINA AND THE IMPACT OF CURRENT POLICIES ON SUCH CONSTRAINTS, USING SHANGHAI AS AN EXAMPLE
To identify and analyze constraints in the housing sector which impede the improvement of housing, and to study their effects on current government policies. A case study of Shanghai is included to expand the understanding of these constraints. Suggested solutions to these problems will be examined in the context of socialist China, as opposed to third world/industrialised capitalist societies.
Investigators: Professor S. Ganesan (Principal)
Professor W.J. Zhi
Departments: Architecture
People's Republic of China
Starting date: 1988.03 Completion date: 1999.08
CAN TUNG CHEE HWA'S TEN YEAR HOUSING TARGETS BE ACHIEVED?
To discuss the difficulties/constraints faced by the government, and predict whether these goals can be achieved in ten years.
Investigators: Professor S. Ganesan (Principal)
Mr. Q. Zhou
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
COMPUTER-BASED, USER-DIRECTED FUNDAMENTAL AND PARAMETRIC COMPARISON ACROSS EC2, AC1, AND MC CONCRETE DESIGN CODES
To provide students and professionals a highly interactive media for exploring, evaluating, visualizing and comparing significant effects of various provisions among the different European and American concrete codes on important aspects of design.
Investigator: Mr. R.J.C. Garcia
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
HAPTIC INTERACTION IN BUILDING STRUCTURES INTELLIGENT TUTORING SYSTEMS
To investigate and apply potential haptic interaction strategies and techniques into intelligent tutoring systems for building structures.
Investigator: Mr. R.J.C. Garcia
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
AN EXAMINATION OF THE PARTICIPATION, ROLE AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF WOMEN IN THE SURVEYING PROFESSION IN HONG KONG
To examine the perceptions and professional achievements of women involved in surveying in Hong Kong and to identify the implications for the future development of the profession.
Investigator: Miss E.M. Hastings
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.11
AN EXAMINATION OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF INVESTMENT IN THE HONG KONG REAL ESTATE MARKET UNDERTAKEN BY INVESTORS FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
To examine both the degree of involvement and the nature of the investment undertaken by investors fromthe People's Republic of China in the local property market.
Investigator: Miss E.M. Hastings
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
DEVELOPING INITIAL INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR HONG KONG
To set a clear goal for local sustainability by outlining an initial set of conditions which are necessary for Hong Kong to be considered sustainable from an environmental perspective and to identify the economic and social pressures and actions which affect these. The project will operationalise this goal by developing a methodology for the practical assessment of how sustainable Hong Kong's present path is with regard to specific, crucial areas of human health and the environmental balance. The project will apply this methodology to identify trends, project future conditions and evaluate specific policies which may direct Hong Kong towards a more sustainable path as it continues to grow and mature.
Investigators: Professor P.R. Hills (Principal)
Dr. W.F. Barron
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government
Starting date: 1996.05 Completion date: 1999.06
STRUCTURAL ECONOMIC CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN HONG KONG
To investigate the implications of structural economic change for environmental quality in Hong Kong and to determine the relationship between changes in environmental quality and the decline in the manufacturing sector in the territory.
Investigators: Professor P.R. Hills (Principal)
Dr. W.F. Barron
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
ENVIRONMENTAL NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN HONG KONG: TOWARDS A MODEL OF INSTITUTIONALIZATION
This study will focus on the history of the principal environmental NGOs in Hong Kong since the late 1970s and will explore recent processes of institutionalization by which they appear to have been drawn closer to the major centres of power regarding environmental policy making in the territory. The study will examine how institutional factors have affected the nature and work of these groups and how these might change in the future.
Investigator: Professor P.R. Hills
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
STUDY OF URBAN DESIGN PRACTICE IN HONG KONG AND OTHER ASIAN CITIES
To investigate the practice of urban design in Hong Kong and other Asina cities: its role, scope of practice and framework and resources for implementation, with case studies from Hong Kong, Singaproe, Malaysia and China.
Investigators: Mr. C.W. Ho (Principal)
Professor O.A. Erginsav
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1993.07
STUDY ON HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL MARKET
The overall study objective is to evaluate the competitive environment of Hong Kong's private residential property market and to research on relevant findings in related issues of public interest.
Investigator: Mr. C.W. Ho
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT OF AGEING BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG
To appraise critically to existing conditions of buildings and management of maintenance in Hong Kong; to examine the necessity, practicality and implications of implementing changes to the system.
Investigator: Mr. D.C.W. Ho
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1991.07
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE PERFORMANCE OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THAT IN PRIVATE SECTOR
To investigate the relative strengths and weaknesses of property management in the Housing Authority; to compare the performance of property management in the Housing Authority with that employed in the private sector with a view to proposing improvements to the system as a whole.
Investigator: Mr. D.C.W. Ho
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1992.07
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BENCHMARKING FOR MAJOR CORPORATIONS IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGIONS
To study facilities management benchmarking for major corporations in the Asia Pacific regions.
Investigators: Mr. D.C.W. Ho (Principal)
Mr. E.H.W. Chan
Mr. M.W. Chan
Departments: Real Estate and Construction
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ON THE FINANCIAL MARKETS IN HONG KONG IN THE GLOBALISED FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT
The financial markets in Hong Kong are subject to a body of control that continues to grow as time passes, especially in terms of statutory control, despite the Hong Kong Government's long-standing rhetoric that a policy of positive non-intervention should be pursued in areas of economic and financial policy. Nonetheless, the regulatory regime in Hong Kong has been put under increasing strain as a result of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, which shows that regulation of financial markets can no longer be seen as a matter of internal economic policy. This project will build on previous research work undertaken on the effectiveness of financial market regulations in Hong Kong, and examine the challenges facing Hong Kong regulators in the globalised environment. Such an investigation would enable one to make some normative conclusions as to the level of financial market regulation that is necessary to maintain systemic stability.
Investigator: Dr. B.F.C. Hsu
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
THE LITERARY INTERPRETATION OF ARCHITECTURE
To formulate a theory of interpretation in architecture from the literary and linguistic tradition.
Investigator: Dr. D.C.K. Hui
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1991.07
ARCHITECTURE AND POLITICS
To investigate the relationship between architecture and its underlying political forces.
Investigator: Dr. D.C.K. Hui
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY OF PRE-1950 BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG
To document all pre-1950 buildings in the urban areas of Hong Kong.
Investigator: Dr. D.C.K. Hui
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Hong Kong Government
Starting date: 1996.10
DEVELOPMENT OF WEB-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES IN BUILDINGS
To develop Internet web-based software and information database for promoting effective technologies of energy efficient buildings. This will provide a flexible and efficient method for dissemination, information exchange, analysis and evaluation of the technolgoies and the related policies and regulations.
Investigators: Dr. S.C.M. Hui (Principal)
Mr. K.P. Cheung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.07
ECOLOGICAL LIVING AND ECOLOGICAL DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR HOUSING IN HONG KONG
To investigate ecological issues pertaining to the living and housing design in Hong Kong; to identify the nature, intensity and the scale of the ecological problems in housing; to examine the design measures of ecological concept adopted in so far and how they perform; to explore, based on the findings of the project, the guidelines that ecological concepts can be enhanced in housing planning and designing process with respect to the high living density and Chinese living culture.
Investigator: Dr. B. Jia
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
SENSUAL FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN: ARCHITECTURAL TRAINING METHODOLOGY
This research will focus on teaching methodology, through which student can generate forms creatively in a rationally designed process consisting of actions such as discovering, juxtaposition, interpretation, transformation, and etc. This study intends to answer the following questions: What is the knowlege base for students to perform creativity? How a training program can be processed? What is the composition of the exercises, through which ideas and knowledge can be experimented without being built as a building, nor an imitation of a building?
Investigator: Dr. B. Jia
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
URBAN PARK TREE SURVEY
To evaluate all mature trees in ten major urban parks in Hong Kong by surveying their species, dimensions, condition and location, establish a microcomputer database, and prepare a tree management and planting plan.
Investigator: Professor C.Y. Jim
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Urban Council, Hong Kong Government
Starting date: 1997.08
BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR BETTER URBAN TREES IN HONG KONG
To develop methods of tree planting and care that will improve the performance of trees in Hong Kong's stressful urban environment, including the amelioration of soil limitations, the search for suitable planting sites using a non-digging technique (ground penetration radar), the systematic assessment of hazardous trees, and the design of urban tree-cum-site specifications for local situations.
Investigator: Professor C.Y. Jim
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Environment and Conservation Fund, Hong Kong Government
Woo Wheelock Green Fund
Starting date: 1997.10
SOIL MOISTURE VARIATIONS AT URBAN-TREE SITES
To evaluate the changes in soil moisture status in a range of tree-planting sites in urban Hong Kong, with reference to differences in site and soil conditions and seasonal variations, with a view to understanding the role of soil mositure stress in the performance of urban trees, and to providing hints for practical soil management.
Investigator: Professor C.Y. Jim
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Hui Oi Chow Trust Fund
Starting date: 1998.06
SOIL PROPERTIES AND GENESIS IN FUNG SHUI WOODLANDS
To evaluate the field profile, physical and chemical properties of soils situated in the fung shui woodlands in the New Territories; to assess the associations between soil characteristics and environmental parameters, including the composition and age of vegetation, site topography, and human impacts; to interpret the formation of the soils under the relatively less disturbed pedogenesis regime in the context of local environmental history; to develop a rational soil and habitat conservation strategy for the fung shui woodlands which are continually threatened by development and neglect.
Investigator: Professor C.Y. Jim
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Hui Oi Chow Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.01
GEOMETRIC RELATIONS AS A FRAMEWORK FOR 3D FORM GENERATION IN CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
To study the role of geometric relations in 3D form generation in conceptual design; to develop a prototype of a computer-based context for 3D form generation based on geometric relations.
Investigator: Dr. B. Kolarevic
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1999.06
THE DESIGN AND PRACTICE OF CONSTRUCTION DETAILS IN HONG KONG
To investigate the current state of the art of, (or the lack of) architectural details in the construction of concrete buildings in Hong Kong.
Investigator: Mr. P.T.T. Kou
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1990.05
COMPUTER-AIDED TEACHING OF MULTI-LINGUAL ARCHITECTURAL NOMENCLATURE
To provided architecture students with self-paced tools to learn the correct terms for architectural elements in Cantonese, Potunghua and English using multimedia technology, permiting the students to read the works/characrers and hear the spoken sound.
Investigators: Dr. T. Kvan (Principal)
Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Mr. B.F. Will
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.07
DESIGNING IN VIRTUAL SPACE
To explore and identify techniques and tools for designing in three dimensional virtual space using a virtual reality system.
Investigators: Dr. T. Kvan (Principal)
Professor J.A. Spinks
Dr. A.H. Vera
Departments: Architecture
Psychology
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF REPORTED PLANNING APPEAL CASES IN HONG KONG FROM A COASIAN TRANSACTION COSTS PERSPECTIVE
To review all reported Town Planning Appeal Board decisions (1991 to date) from planning and economic points of views.
Investigator: Dr. L.W.C. Lai
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
AN OBJECT-ORIENTED APPROACH TO ANALYZING URBAN GEOSPATIAL MODELS OF HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN
To identify components and to recommend a strategy for the integration of geospatial data with electronic access to both traditional text materials and other multimedia data. In particular, how can a prospective user determine (1) the availability of a set of geospatial data; (2) the fitness of a set of geospatial data for an intended use; (3) the means of accessing the set of geospatial data; and (4) the means of transferring the set of geospatial data successfully for local processing.
Investigators: Dr. P.C. Lai (Principal)
Dr. P.Z. Huang
Department: Geography and Geology
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
A DETAILED STUDY OF USER FRIENDLY NOISE BARRIER TO ENHANCE LIVEABILITY AND BETTER QUALITY FOR OUR CITY
To take the preliminary pilot study to its final phase of development to yield a workable solution for Hong Kong.
Investigators: Professor P.S.S. Lau (Principal)
Mr. S.S.Y. Lau
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
BAMBOO SCAFFOLDING AS A CRAFT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: A HISTORICAL AND TECHNICAL SURVEY
A historical and technical survey of the ancient Chinese arts and crafts, its technique which is unique to the Chinese builders in South East Asia and Hong Kong with recommendations for improvements to its application as a construction method.
Investigators: Mr. S.S.Y. Lau (Principal)
Mrs. J. Mo
Mr. W.S. Wong
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
AN INVESTIGATION OF EFFECTIVE NOISE MIGITATION FOR HIGH RISE APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG BY MEANS OF BALCONY
To recommend and investigate the effectiveness of incorporating balconies into existing new apartment buildings to act as a noise barrier and an alternative and improvements over, the existing noise-sensitive building design advocated by the Environmental Protection Department.
Investigators: Mr. S.S.Y. Lau (Principal)
Mr. W.S. Wong
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1999.02
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF NOISE PROTECTIVE BUILDING DESIGN AND LEGISLATIONS IN HONG KOSNG AND SHANGHAI
To study enforcing legislations in both cities with an view to compare notes and to learn from each other experiences and effective measures to tackle similar problem sources; to study the characteristics and variables of the constituents of the noise sources and of the receipients; to study design strategies adopted by professionals in both cities; to study related research developments in both cities.
Investigators: Mr. S.S.Y. Lau (Principal)
Professor J.Q. Wang
Departments: Architecture
Institute of Acoustics, Shanghai, Tongji University, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY STUDY OF THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A SUSTAINABLE HIGH-DENSITY "HABITAT" FOR THE 21ST CENTURY AND BEYOND (THE ARCOLOGY INITIATIVE, PHASE 1)
To establish comprehensive Arcology guidelines with the aid of an iterative "Arcology design tool". Designers, engineers, planners, economists, ecologists, educators, developers and policy makers can all benefit when collecitvely introduced to its potential. Arcology's significance in Hong Kong's and China's future is enormous and multi-disciplinary in nature.
Investigators: Mr. S.S.Y. Lau (Principal)
Dr. G.J. Chen
Dr. Y.Q. Chen
Mr. F. Frick
Professor S. Ganesan
Dr. R.Y.C. Tse
Departments: Architecture
Ecological Economics Research Centre, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, People's Republic of China
Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, China Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
INDOOR NOISE CONTROL WITH TRANSPARENT AND ALFA SOUND ABSORBERS
To solve several room acoustical problems typical for modem architecture.
Investigators: Mr. S.S.Y. Lau (Principal)
Professor H. Fuchs
Departments: Architecture
Fraunhofer Institute fur Bauphysik, IBP, Germany
Source of funding: Germany/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme
Starting date: 1999.04
COMPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKETS IN HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN AFTER 1997
To examine the possible merging of the two markets after 1997; to examine the complementary effects of the different roles of the two markets after 1997.
Investigator: Dr. L.H. Li
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07 Completion date: 1998.12
VALUATION PRACTICES IN HONG KONG
To examine the valuation procedures and methodologies adopted by major property professional firms and government departments in Hong Kong; to examine the extent to which information technology has been adopted in the valuation practices in Hong Kong; to examine the effects of valuation practies adopted by the financial institutions on the propertiy markets under different market sentiments.
Investigator: Dr. L.H. Li
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
URBAN LAND REFORMS IN TRANSITIONAL ECONOMIES - A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
To study: 1) The importance of a successful reform in the real estate market in the transitional economies; 2) The institutional differences that create different results in the real estate reforms in China and in other transitional economies such as Germany (after unification), Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic; 3) The pre-requisites for a successful reform in the real estate market in the transitional economies; 4) The lessons to be learned from various models of real estate reform in the study and how these lessons can be transformed into useful guidelines for other economies preparing for similar reforms.
Investigator: Dr. L.H. Li
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
IMPACTS OF URBAN LAND POLICY ON THE PROCESS OF URBANISATION - A COMPARATIVE STUDY
To examine the effects of the leasehold land tenure system on the urbanisation process in Hong Kong and in Shanghai; to illustrate the importance of the urban land system in the overall urbanisation process; to examine the differences in the urban land policies in these two cities, and the resulting impacts on urbanisation and urban developments; to assess the role of government in enhancing the urbanisation process through propert urban land policies.
Investigator: Dr. L.H. Li
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hui Oi Chow Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.01
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT OF LAND USE IN A RAPIDLY URBANIZING SOCIETY
To investigate the processes of land use change in rural China since the 1978 economic reforms, to determine social, economic, and institutional forces responsible for the change, and to recommend policies for the effective management of land.
Investigators: Dr. G.C.S. Lin (Principal)
Dr. S.P.S. Ho
Departments: Geography and Geology
Centre for Chinese Research, University of British Columbia, Canada
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON PROJECT LEADERSHIP
To investigate: 1. whether project managers in UK, China and Hong Kong have a similar factor structure in the characterisations of leadership styles; 2. the differences in specific behaviours associated with leadership styles which are comprehensible within the cultural norms of each setting; 3. whether the task-orientation approach of the project managers is affected by various stages of the joint venture arrangements (and amongst the alternatives-strategic/project), if so, how/when does the approach change and what are the factors of such dynamism.
Investigator: Dr. A.M.M. Liu
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.11
INVESTIGATION AND PHOTO DOCUMENTATION OF ORIGINAL SETTLEMENTS IN AND AROUND HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES
To produce a study of the spatial compositions and environmental management these traditional settlements of high social cohesion and tight community fabric excelled in.
Investigator: Mr. S.C. Lo
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
COMPLEXITY IN ARCHITECTURE
To conduct a research on the theoretical application of the science of "complexity" in the theory and practice of architectural design.
Investigator: Mr. L.L. Lu
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
A STUDY OF THE HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE IN HONG KONG, 1840-1940
Hong Kong as a British colony had much architectural influence from Britain. It is the intention of this research project to find out the cause, the ways and manners, in which architecture responds to the needs and desires of a society within this period.
Investigator: Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Hang Seng Bank Golden Jubilee Education Fund for Research
Starting date: 1988.05
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF QIAO-XIANG IN GUANGDONG
To document and study the vernacular architecture in Qiao-xiangs in Guangdong.
Investigator: Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
A PRESERVATION CHARTER FOR HONG KONG'S HERITAGE
To investigate the policy, or the lack of it, in protecting our historical environment in Hong Kong and to help establish a clear direction, guideline and procedure in conserving our cultural heritage.
Investigator: Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
HONG KONG HERITAGE INDEX
To compile and publish a set of bibliographies on Hong Kong's heritage for general use, in particular, to minimize the problems of searching for information on heritage items scattered among institutions for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) now required under environmental protection law (since April 1998).
Investigator: Professor D.P.Y. Lung
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Hang Seng Bank Golden Jubilee Education Fund for Research
Starting date: 1999.04
COMPARATIVE STUDY ON PUBLIC HOUSING ENVIRONMENTS IN HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE: STRATEGIC PROPOSALS FOR HOUSING THE BILLIONS IN FUTURE CHINA'S CITIES
To investigate housing policy, urban form and living quality in public housing in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Investigators: Professor K.C. Lye (Principal)
Dr. B. Jia
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
VALUATION FOR DEVELOPMENT LAND IN HONG KONG
To produce a book on the topic.
Investigators: Mr. K.G. McKinnell (Principal)
Mr. D. Forshaw
Departments: Real Estate and Construction
Starting date: 1986.01
ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENT APPRAISAL METHODS
To analyse the development process to identify and quantify those items which determine the cost and value of a development; to examine ways of incorporating the findings into development appraisal calculations.
Investigators: Mr. K.G. McKinnell (Principal)
Miss E.M. Hastings
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1988.12
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FINANICAL STRUCTURING OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG
To complete a book containing at least five detailed real estate development and finance cases studies of prominent and innovative Hong Kong commercial real estate investments that have been completed since 1990.
Investigators: Mr. K.G. McKinnell (Principal)
Mr. F.I.H. Pretorius
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.07
COMPUTER SUPPORTED COOPERATIVE WORK IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
To examine the potential and issues arising from new ways of team working in construction project with respect to the introduction of computer supported cooperative work.
Investigator: Dr. F.F. Ng
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
GLOBAL-LOCAL NEXUS AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF HONG KONG AND SHENZHEN
To examine local sustainable development practice, if any, in Hong Kong and Shenzhen which aims at tackling urban sustainability issues resulted from the incorporation of both economies into the transnational flows of capital, production, labour and ideas.
Investigator: Dr. M.K. Ng
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
AN URBAN REGENERATION STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG: ADDRESSING KEY SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES IN A RESTRUCTURING CONTEXT
To conduct systematic research on urban regeneration issues and policy responses in different periods of socio-economic restructuring in selected Western and Asian countries in order to: (i) formulate a theoretical framework to undersntad the relationship between political/institutional structure, socio-economic restructuring and urban regeneration issues and policy responses, and (ii) identify relevant strategies or policies for Hong Kong; to achieve a better understanding of the root causes of local urban decay in a rapidly restructuring context; to identify key socio-economic issues perceived by various legitimate stakeholders (local residents or operators, private sector, and government) in the urban regeneration process, and to solicit their views on potential urban regeneration strategies or policies; to employ strategic planning and decision-making techniques to formulate an innovative, integrated and sustainable urban regeneration strategy which can address key socio-economic issues faced by local residents and meet the challenges imposed by a restructuring context.
Investigators: Dr. M.K. Ng (Principal)
Dr. E.W.T. Chui
Ms A.H.S. Cook
Departments: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Social Work and Social Administration
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.12
DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN PLANNING IN SELECTED CHINESE GLOBAL CITIES: PATTERNS, PROCESSES AND PARTICIPANTS
To develop a theoretical framework to understand the relationships between development and urban planning and identify major factors contributing to the evolution of these relationships. With reference to the theoretical framework, investigate the following issues in the selected cities: how urban planning is related to the development process; the consequent spatial patterns of development; and the actors involved in the development process. To highlight the similarities and differences of the development and planning processes in the selected cities and suggest directions for improvements.
Investigator: Dr. M.K. Ng
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
BEST PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION
To assess the application of C.J. Kibert's conceptual model of sustainable construction in the Hong Kong construction industry; to suggest the changes in the local construction process in order to fulfill sustainable construction criteria; to identify and recommend the best practices for sustainable construction.
Investigator: Mr. S.W. Poon
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
PLANNING AND SCHEDULING THE READY-MIXED CONCRETE DELIVERY BY THE BATCHING PLANTS
To investigate the current practice in planning and scheduling by batching plants; to identify the factors that most often affect planning and scheduling decisions; to form a basis for establishing what scheduling system is required in order that production and delivery of ready-mixed concrete can be made more efficient; to derive a decision model for use by batching plants in planning and scheduling; to investigate the effect on site planning of concrete operations by scheduling decisons made by the batching plants.
Investigator: Mr. S.W. Poon
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM OF THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET IN HONG KONG
To develop a conceptual model that represents the adjustment mechanism of the market for commercial real estate assets in Hong Kong.
Investigator: Mr. F.I.H. Pretorius
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1995.07
COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION IN THE TEACHING OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY - AN ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT RESPONSES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR CURRICULUM DESIGN
To complete and evaluate the development and use of a computer assisted learning package (CAL) for use in the teaching of construction/building technology. The package has been designed to fit in with existing curricula at The University of Hong Kong and City Polytechnic of Hong Kong. The main purpose of the system is to provide in depth tutorial assistance (with multiple levels and practice opportunities) to students as part of the building technology syllabus. The system is so designed that it may be applied at increasing levels of complexity throughout the 3 years curriculum.
Investigator: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Starting date: 1993.06 Completion date: 1999.06
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON PROJECT PERFORMANCE
To establish culturally derived attributes (attitudes, perceptions etc.) of people working on construction projects and to monitor: (i) the ways they are expressed or enacted in the course of the project and (ii) the ways in which they are modified in the course of the project. The attitudes and perceptions considered will related to occupations and firms; incidence of, reasons for and methods of preempting and resolving disputes and conflicts; to establish, monitor and measure, where possible, objective manifestations of culture and cultural change.
Investigators: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson (Principal)
Mr. M. Hancock
Departments: Real Estate and Construction
Construction Study Unit, School of Architecture and Building Engineering, University of Bath, U.K.
Source of funding: UK/HK Joint Research Scheme (British Council / Hong Kong Research Grants Council)
Starting date: 1994.10
IMPROVING SAFETY IN HONG KONG'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THROUGH THE USE OF BEHAVIOURAL TECHNIQUES
To introduce BM techniques to various Hong Kong contractors and assist them to implement such techniques on Hong Kong construction sites. The research output of this work will be to incorporate and compare the results of the contractor-based studies with the Department of Surveying's own results.
Investigators: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson (Principal)
Dr. H. Lingard
Departments: Real Estate and Construction
Costain Ltd.
Source of funding: Occupational Safety and Health Council
Starting date: 1995.09
AN EXAMINATION OF FACTORS MODERATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOAL SETTING TO IMPROVE SAFETY ON HONG KONG'S CONSTRUCTION SITES
To explore the reasons why the techniques were not found to work in other categories of safety performance (access to heights and bamboo scaffolding); to determine the effect of possible intervening variable thought to have moderated the effect of the techniques.
Investigator: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1995.12
THE VIRTUALLY REAL (VR) CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
To model the sequence and nature of activities in constructing a structure - specifically a Hong Kong Housing Authority block; to model the construction operations - mechanical, physical and human - which take place during this process of construction; to model the tmeporary works necessry for the construction process; based on this model to conduct a hazard hunt for unsafe situations at various points during the life-cycle of the project and, as a consequence, to develop a safety plan for HKHA sites (and to conduct "what if?" analyses); to amend the VR model in accordance with the safety plan and then conduct a safety audit of the VR site.
Investigator: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.01
VISUALISATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS: PLANT AND EQUIPMENT PLANNING
To produce a visualisation (V R) of the construction process. This visualisation will concentrate on the use of plant and equipment on a typical Hong Kong coonstruction site. In producing this visualisation it is important to model the objects which are the plant and equipment on the construction site. Hence, the main task in this work will be to model these objects and make use of them in existing, and to be developed, visualisations of Hong Kong projects.
Investigator: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE UNDERSTANDING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF PERFORMANCE-BASED HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION AMONG CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN HONG KONG
To ascertain the prevailing levels of understanding and implementation of performance-based occupational health and safety legislation in Hong Kong; to identify any differences in the understanding and implemtnation of performance-based occupational health and safety legislation amongst employers and employees of construction firms; to highlight impediments and facilitating factors to the successful implementation of performance-based occupational health and safety legilation; to compare Hong Kong experience with that in Victoria, Australia and to draw up a guide to good practice.
Investigator: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1997.11
A PARTNERING METHODOLOGY FOR HONG KONG
To assess the level of understanding of partnering within the Hong Kong Construction Industry; to ascertain the current and potenial planned application of partnering in Hong Kong; to model the approaches being employed; based on the three previous areas, develop a best practice methodology for the Hong Kong construction industry; to identify those areas in which partnering can best be employed in order that all project participants receive maximum benefits.
Investigators: Dr. S.M. Rowlinson (Principal)
Dr. J. Matthews
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
HONG KONG ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS IN CHINA - MYTH AND REALITY
To document the processes of architectural projects and architectural solutions derived so far by Hong Kong architectural firms and developers in the rapidly expanding economy of China, to research the cultural/historical, regional and economic background underlying those solutions, as part of a research aiming to identify needs and coming up with concerte proposals for architectural designs which are responsive to the particular circumstances of our region.
Investigator: Mrs. E.P.S. Tracy
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.07
HOUSING IN A WORLD OF CHANGING GENDER ROLES: A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHANGES OF WOMEN'S ROLES AND THE CHANGES IN DOMESTIC SPATIAL DESIGNS IN CHINA AND HONG KONG
To study the architectural design implications of changing gender roles, life styles and family structures in three Asian areas; to document, in particular, how transformations of traditional "women's roles" have affected programmatic needs and spatial resolutions of built forms and spaces. I hope also to identify any enduring patterns, new values and aspirations still to be responded to, and emerging creative solutions in the course of the evolution of domestic and community housing designs.
Investigator: Mrs. E.P.S. Tracy
Department: Architecture
Starting date: 1996.05
MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENTS IN LAND MANAGEMENT POLICY IN CHINA
To establish the developments taking place in China with regard to land tenure and the methods of allocating land use rights; and to analyse the implications of such developments for the creation of a market in China.
Investigators: Professor A. Walker (Principal)
Dr. L.H. Li
Mr. K.G. McKinnell
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Starting date: 1987.01
THE INTEGRATION OF THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRIES OF HONG KONG, TAIWAN AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
To establish profiles of the contribution of the real estate industries to the economies of Hong Kong, Taiwwan and the People's Republic of China.
Investigators: Professor A. Walker (Principal)
Dr. L.H. Li
Mr. K.G. McKinnell
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1996.01
CHINA: BUILDING FOR JOINT VENTURES
To establish the procedures to be followed in developing buildings needed by joint venture companies in China and the difficulties encountered and their solutions.
Investigator: Professor A. Walker
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Private donation
Starting date: 1997.04 Completion date: 1999.03
THE TRANSFORMATION ON THE URBAN FABRIC AND CITY FORM OF SHANGHAI AFTER 1979
To examine the rapid change of Shanghai's urban form and to identify the mechanism behind the change, thereby, formulating an urban design strategy of maintaining the city's historical character in the development process.
Investigator: Mr. W.J. Wang
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1995.07
THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE LI-FANG RESIDENTIAL FABRIC
To examine the contemporary implications of Chinese imperial city blocks in mixed-use Asian cities.
Investigator: Mr. W.J. Wang
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07
PUBLIC SPACE/URBAN CULTURE OF HONG KONG, TAIPEI AND SHANGHAI: A COMPARATIVE STUDY FROM A POSTCOLONIAL PERSPECTIVE
To investigate the impact of colonization and decolonization on (re-)creating and (re)shaping the forms, meanings and functions of urban public spaces, a topic that has not been given sufficient attention in cultural studies from a postcolonial perspective.
Investigators: Mr. W.J. Wang (Principal)
Dr. T.W. Wong
Departments: Architecture
Comparative Literature
Source of funding: RGC Fundable Projects (Block Grant Funded)
Starting date: 1998.11
AN ANALYSIS OF THE HONG KONG BUILDING REGULATIONS UTILIZING AN INTERACTIVE FORMAT
To produce a interactive study of the major aspects of the building controls in the Hong Kong urban areas. This study will translate the written laws into a 3D format and will analyse key building types that have resulted from these legal impositions.
Investigators: Mr. B.F. Will (Principal)
Mr. J.W. Bradford
Mr. B. Sullivan
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1994.07
THE ENHANCEMENT OF TEACHING THROUGH COMPUTER AIDED 3-D INSTRUCTION
The enhancement of teaching through computer aided 3-D instruction.
Investigators: Mr. B.F. Will (Principal)
Mr. J.W. Bradford
Mr. C.H. Wong
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: University Grants Committee Central Allocation
Starting date: 1994.10
DEVELOPMENT OF MODELLING SYSTEM FOR CROWD INTERACTION IN A VIRTUAL WORLD
To create a computer simulation of crowd activities by the use of creatures to represent individual members for the purpose of studying crowding and evaluation human responses thereto.
Investigators: Mr. B.F. Will (Principal)
Mr. J.W. Bradford
Dr. S.M. Lo
Departments: Architecture
City University of Hong Kong
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
SAFETY AND DESIGN FOR PUBLIC OUTDOOR AMENITY AREAS
To examine the relationship between safety and design in outdoor amenity areas. Common risks for the public will be identified and analyzed, followed by a study of corresponding safety criteria. Tentative sample guidelinese will be developed for des which would illustrate a rational approach to resolving the potential conflict between innovative design and safety. The findings should be an aid to designers, public officials and others.
Investigator: Mr. C.K. Wong
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1993.07
THE DISPOSAL OF THE HONG KONG LAND STOCK UNDER THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION
To review the rate of land disposal under the Sino-British agreement of a 50 ha restriction per annum, by comparing it to the estimated "optimal" rate of natural resource depletion; and to assess its effects to property prices in Hong Kong.
Investigator: Dr. K.C. Wong
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.07
NEURAL NETWORK FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY PRICES
To design and test a neural network model for pricing residential flats in Hong Kong. Focus will be on large-scale comprehensive development projects.
Investigator: Dr. K.C. Wong
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
REVIEWING BUILDING REGULATIONS AFFECTING THE HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG
The Hong Kong urban situation is a context for high density living. To cater for the health and safety of people, the Building Ordinance and Building Regulations made provision for the control of building development. The government legislation has become a principal component of the software for designing building in Hong Kong. To review the present Building Ordinance and Building Regulations affecting the planning and design of high density development, recommendations can be made to government for a more sustainable living environment in the future. It is for the mutual benefit of architects and the public at large for a set of improved building regulations catered for local climate and other conditions aiming for a better living environment both internally and externally.
Investigator: Mr. W.S. Wong
Department: Architecture
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1998.07
CASE STUDIES OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN HONG KONG AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
To document and analyse the systems and procedure adapted for particular real estate development projects in Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China.
Investigator: Mr. D.J. Yates
Department: Real Estate and Construction
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1996.07 Completion date: 1999.06
CHANGES IN INDUSTRIAL LINKAGES WITH CHINA AND INTRA-METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIAL LOCATION IN HONG KONG
To examine the impact of the new industrial linkages with China, especially the Pearl River Delta, and the changes in the structure of industries on the intra-metropolitan industrial location in Hong Kong.
Investigator: Professor A.G.O. Yeh
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1995.08
URBAN SIMULATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS
Hong Kong is increasingly closely related to the development of the Pearl River Delta. Apart from the economic integration with the Pearl River Delta through outward processing of industries, Hong Kong is heavily relying on the Pearl River Delta in food, especially vegetable and water supplies. The decrease in agricultural land and degradation of water environment from urban development in the Pearl River Delta will tberefore have significant influences on the food and water supplies in Hong Kong. The study will develop an urban simulation model using remote sensng and GIS for the growth corridor between Hong Kong and Guangzhou where a lot of development is taking place. The model will first simulate urban development in the Pearl River Delta and its impact on the environment in the next ten or twenty years if the current trend of uncontrolled urban development continues. Different urban development scenarios will be simulated using the model to find the optimal urban development pattern for different assumptions of economic and infrastructure developments and planning controls.
Investigator: Professor A.G.O. Yeh
Departments: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Guangdong Academy of Sciences, The Guangzhou Institute of Geography, People's Republic of China
Source of funding: Croucher Foundation
Starting date: 1997.06
VIRTUAL HONG KONG UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
To provide a comprehensive and advanced campus map system for students and visitors to tour, explore, and find departments, offices, buildings and lecture rooms in the Universiyt via the Internet. It also aims to extend the virtual campus concept to the development of virtual Hong Kong for Internet white and yellow page services and marketing.
Investigators: Professor A.G.O. Yeh (Principal)
Dr. P.C. Lai
Departments: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Geography and Geology
Source of funding: Centaline Property Agency, ESRI Hong Kong
Environmental System Research Institute Hong Kong
Starting date: 1998.04 Completion date: 1998.09
LOCATIONAL AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES OF BASIC SERVICE SECTORS AND PRODUCER SERVICE COMPLEX IN HONG KONG
To identify firms that constitute the basic service sectors and producer service complex that are vital to the economy of Hong Kong; to understand the locational determinants of service multinationals and MNE control/office functions and the competitive advantages and disadvantages of Hong Kong as a service centre; to examine the competitive advantages of the producer service complex of Hong Kong compared with that of its three main potential competitors - Singapore, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Investigator: Professor A.G.O. Yeh
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Hong Kong Research Grants Council
Starting date: 1998.10
THE USE OF THE INTEGRATION OF CARE-BASED SYSTEM AND GIS IN THE INTRANET FOR DEVELOPMENT CONTROL
To examne the use of care-based reasoning in overcoming the difficulties in applying expert system to urban planning.
Investigator: Professor A.G.O. Yeh
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Urban and Environmental Studies Trust Fund
Starting date: 1999.05
THE IMPACT OF THE REFORM OF STATE OWNED ENTERPRISES ON THE LEGAL SYSTEM
To assess the impacts of the reform of state owned enterprises on the current domestic legal system; to assess the legal impacts of the reform on business opportunities of foreign investors; to compare the reform in China with the movement of privatization of former Eastern European block; to identify the main characteristics of the reform, its experience and lessons.
Investigator: Dr. X.C. Zhang
Department: Law
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1997.11 Completion date: 1998.12
HOUSING REFORM AND THE NEW GOVERNANCE OF HOUSING IN CHINA
To examine the changing roles of the state and work units in the new governance of housing; to examine the impacts of housing reform instruments (such as privatisation and marketisation) on the governance of housing; to examine the implications of the new governance of housing for residents and consumers of (public) housing.
Investigator: Dr. X.Q. Zhang
Department: Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management
Source of funding: Committee on Research and Conference Grants
Starting date: 1999.05
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