Opening Speech at Translational Research Forum on Sustainable Urban Development in Greater Bay Area

Event: Translational Research Forum on Sustainable Urban Development in Greater Bay Area
Date: 26 April 2019

Chairman Dr LAU, Prof. Philip CHAN, Mr. JIANG, Honourable Speakers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning. Thank you for inviting me to join you at this meaningful event, which is also timely.

The Central Government has announced the Outline Development Plan for the ambitious Greater Bay Area. It has set a target of forming a framework for an international first-class bay area and world-class city cluster by 2022, and an international first-class bay area for living, working and travelling should be fully developed by 2035.

The substantial infrastructural requirement alone would generate huge opportunities for the construction industry and related sectors over the entire Greater Bay Area.

However, we should be mindful of the Sustainability of the built environment and also the Construction Industry. We should take this opportunity to raise our industry performance to make it greener, safer and more productive.

I note that this Forum is supported by the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF), which is a Government funding to support our local Construction Industry adopting innovative technologies to boost the industry’s capacity. The Construction Industry Council is commissioned to manage the Fund. I guess that is why I was asked to join the Forum this morning.

Substantial researches have been carried out by the academic community on Sustainable Urban Development over the years. It is important to take stock of what we have achieved and translate them into practical uses.

CIC is happy to facilitate the translation process. In particular, the CIC has set up the Construction Innovation and Technology Application Centre (CITAC) in 2017 to showcase construction innovations and facilitate their applications by the industry. Some of the exhibits are originated from academic researches.

In addition, CIC together with the Development Bureau, and the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development, under the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the Central Government, will jointly co-organise a flagship event:  Construction Innovation Expo 2019 from 17 to 20 December this year. The Expo aims to promote the adoption of innovations by the industry stakeholders, and facilitate the development of the Greater Bay Area as an Innovation Hub. Please save the dates, and enjoy Christmas holidays in Hong Kong after the Expo.

Taking this opportunity of having so many high level scientists here today, I cannot resist drawing your attention to the Third CIC Construction Innovation Award.

We welcome both local and international submissions. The total prize money is HK$2.4 million, and remember this important date – 28 June 2019, the submission deadline.

Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a very successful Forum and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Thank you.

Mr. CHAN Ka-kui
Chairman, Construction Industry Council