Carrying the theme “Innovation: Revitalising Construction”, the property and construction sector is called on to embrace innovations to revolutionise the way how real estate is managed and built

HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 21 September 2019 - To improve efficiency, cut down on costs, facilitate collaboration andstreamline project workflow, theproperty and construction sector should proactively pursue digitaltransformation to stay ahead of the game, which is the consensus among the 250 industry leaders,academics and government officials who attended the Annual Conference of the HongKong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) held today (21 September 2019) at the JWMarriott Hong Kong.

Celebrating the 35^th Anniversary,the HKIS boasts more than 10,500 members and is the only surveying professionalbody incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. As the group's flagship event, theannual conference is one of the region's most high-profile gatherings forindustry leaders and professionals from the government and private sector. 

Speaking at the conference, the Secretary for Development, Mr MichaelWong, said that the Government has been facilitating the constructionindustry in adopting innovative ideas and harnessing advanced technologies andinnovative construction methods to enhance productivity and improvecost-effectiveness, including, amongst others, pushing forward the adoption ofModular Integrated Construction (MiC) and the fuller use of BuildingInformation Modelling (BIM) as well as the newly launch Centre of Excellencefor Major Project Leaders.

Following Mr Wong's inspirational welcomespeech was the speaker series, with the welcome speech made by HKIS President Sr Dr Tony Leung Ka-tung. "We live in evolving times as technology continues to transform theway we work. Not only do these changes promise opportunity for ourprofessionals, but they also promise the potential of higher living standardsand lower living costs for the wider population," he said. "Our government and community leaders have certainlyunderstood the need to push Hong Kong further into becoming a smart city. It isthis sentiment that drives today's conference theme -- "Innovation: RevitalisingConstruction".

"The conference examines and encourages theearly introduction of smart technologies, projecting future, framing the current landscape trends and spelling out the challengesand opportunities ahead as the industry continues to undergo a digitaltransformation," Sr Dr Leung added.

Among the most keenly anticipated talks was thatby Sr Dr Stephen Lai Yuk-fai, JP, Managing Director of Rider Levett Bucknall Limited, on the causes ofrising construction costs and the importance of developing and using newtechnologies to enhance construction efficiency amid economic uncertainties Dr Alexia Nalewalk, Professor, American University, further delivered an insightful lecture on the risk analysis of construction costs. Speakerfrom Singapore Mr Allan G H Tan, Managing Director of United Tec ConstructionPte Ltd, talked about the benefits of employing Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction, includingshorter construction time, better quality and less environmental pollution.

As Hong Kong continues to transform itselfinto a smart city, the deployment of a citywide Common Spatial DataInfrastructure (CSDI) and how to integrate it with BIM/GIS will laythe foundation for Hong Kong's future success as a smart city, especially whenit comes to master and site planning. Mr Chan Siu Bun,Ben, Assistant Director/Survey & Mapping of the Lands Department, briefedthe audience on the CSDI implementation progress and what it means for buildingprofessionals. Sr Paul Tsui, Managing Director of Esri China(Hong Kong) Limited, delivered a talk on how mapping and analytics softwarecould help with early developmentplanning.

"All the issues discussed play an importantrole in shaping the future of our industry, and consequently, our city's livingstandards," said Sr Edwin Tang, Chairman ofthe HKIS Annual Conference Organising Committee and HKISVice-President. "The HKIS aimsto use the annual conference as a platform to discuss about the futuredevelopment of Hong Kong with professionals from various sectors to boost constructionindustry standards."

List ofspeakers and topics downloadable here: https://bit.do/HKISAC2019

ConferenceProceeding downloadable here: https://bit.do/hkis-ac2019proceed

Photo Caption :

001Secretary for Development, Development Bureau,HKSAR Government, Mr Michael WONG Wai-lun, JP (fourth from the Left), HKIS President Sr DrTony Leung Ka-tung (third from the Left), HKIS Vice-President and Chairman ofthe HKIS Annual Conference Organising Committee, Sr Edwin Tang (third from theright), and the HKIS Office Bearers attended the Hong Kong Institute ofSurveyors' (HKIS) Annual Conference.

002 MrMichael WONG Wai-lun, JP, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSARGovernment,attended as the event's Guest of Honour

003 HKISPresident Sr Dr Tony Leung Ka-tung giving the opening speech

004 About250 guests attended the HKIS Annual Conference 2019

005 Q&A session with speakers Mr Allan G. H.TAN, Mr CHAN Siu Bun, Ben, and Mr YU Tak Cheung, JP, and moderator Sr TSE ChiKin, Kenny.

Please click HERE to download the photos.

About the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

Establishedin 1984, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors is the only surveyingprofessional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. As of 8 August 2019,the number of members reached 10,561 including 6,921 Corporate Membersconsisting Fellows and Members -- distinguished by the initials FHKIS and MHKIS;76 Associate Members -- distinguished by the initials AMHKIS; and 3,564probationers and student members. The Institute's work includes settingstandards for professional services and performance, establishing codes ofethics, determining requirements for admission as professional surveyors,access and award the professional qualification, and advance members'professional knowledge, technical and service standards through continuingprofessional development.

TheInstitute has an important consultative role in government policy making and onissues affecting the profession. We have advised the Government on issues suchas unauthorized building works, building safety campaign, problems of propertymanagement, town planning and development strategies, construction quality andhousing problems. We are working on amendments to standard forms of buildingcontract and have issued guidance notes on floor area measurement methods.

For more details, please visit the HKIS website at https://www.hkis.org.hk.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hkisofficial