The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors Annual Conference 2019: Sheds Light on Digital Transformation of Global Real Estate

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 and streamline project workflow, the property and construction sector should proactively pursue digital transformation 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 Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) held today (21 September 2019) at the JW Marriott Hong Kong.

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

Speaking at the conference, the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, said that the Government has been facilitating the construction industry in adopting innovative ideas and harnessing advanced technologies and innovative construction methods to enhance productivity and improve cost-effectiveness, including, amongst others, pushing forward the adoption of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and the fuller use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) as well as the newly launch Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders.

Following Mr Wong's inspirational welcome speech 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 the way we work. Not only do these changes promise opportunity for our professionals, but they also promise the potential of higher living standards and lower living costs for the wider population," he said. "Our government and community leaders have certainly understood the need to push Hong Kong further into becoming a smart city. It is this sentiment that drives today's conference theme -- "Innovation: Revitalising Construction".

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

Among the most keenly anticipated talks was that by Sr Dr Stephen Lai Yuk-fai, JP, Managing Director of Rider Levett Bucknall Limited, on the causes of rising construction costs and the importance of developing and using new technologies 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. Speaker from Singapore Mr Allan G H Tan, Managing Director of United Tec Construction Pte Ltd, talked about the benefits of employing Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction, including shorter construction time, better quality and less environmental pollution.

As Hong Kong continues to transform itself into a smart city, the deployment of a citywide Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) and how to integrate it with BIM/GIS will lay the foundation for Hong Kong's future success as a smart city, especially when it comes to master and site planning. Mr Chan Siu Bun, Ben, Assistant Director/Survey & Mapping of the Lands Department, briefed the audience on the CSDI implementation progress and what it means for building professionals. Sr Paul Tsui, Managing Director of Esri China (Hong Kong) Limited, delivered a talk on how mapping and analytics software could help with early development planning.

"All the issues discussed play an important role in shaping the future of our industry, and consequently, our city's living standards," said Sr Edwin Tang, Chairman of the HKIS Annual Conference Organising Committee and HKIS Vice-President. "The HKIS aims to use the annual conference as a platform to discuss about the future development of Hong Kong with professionals from various sectors to boost construction industry standards."

List of speakers and topics downloadable here: http://bit.do/HKISAC2019

Conference Proceeding downloadable here: http://bit.do/hkis-ac2019proceed

Photo Caption :

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

002 Mr Michael WONG Wai-lun, JP, Secretary for Development, Development Bureau, HKSAR Government, attended as the event's Guest of Honour

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

004 About 250 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 Chi Kin, Kenny.

Please click HERE to download the photos.

About the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

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

The Institute has an important consultative role in government policy making and on issues affecting the profession. We have advised the Government on issues such as unauthorized building works, building safety campaign, problems of property management, town planning and development strategies, construction quality and housing problems. We are working on amendments to standard forms of building contract and have issued guidance notes on floor area measurement methods.

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

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