25/09/2026
Event Recap | DUPAD Executive Talk Series 2026โ27
The Department of Urban Planning and Design was pleased to host ๐๐ฌ. ๐๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ฒ๐๐, for an Executive Talk titled โ๐๐๐ฒ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ: ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ โ๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉโ on 21 September 2026 at The University of Hong Kong.
The talk attracted more than 70 students, alumni, and colleagues. Ms. Lee shared AlipayHKโs journey from a digital payment tool to a comprehensive digital lifestyle and financial platform. Set against Hong Kongโs mature financial market, she discussed how the company expanded digital payment adoption through high-frequency urban scenarios, including retail, public transport, cross-border travel, and everyday city services.
A central theme was the role of platform ecosystems in shaping smart urban living. Ms. Lee highlighted AlipayHKโs merchant development strategies, integration with lifestyle platforms, and its evolution into broader digital infrastructure supporting marketing, loyalty programmes, mini programmes, food and beverage services, healthcare, ticketing, charity, transport, and financial services.
The talk also explored the public value of fintech platforms in civic engagement, social responsibility, and environmental initiatives. Examples such as digital donation channels and the GREEN$ Points redemption programme showed how digital wallet infrastructure can support transparency, sustainability, and public participation.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students raised thoughtful questions on digital inclusion, platform governance, user behaviour, financial innovation, and smart city development in Hong Kong.
We sincerely thank Ms. Venetia Lee for her valuable sharing, and all participants for contributing to an engaging and intellectually enriching discussion.๐๐ป