HKU Department of Urban Planning and Design

【📢 Last Call - Submit Your Abstract for UCRN 2026!】

Time is running out! The 2026 Annual Conference of The Urban China Research Network (UCRN) , co-organized by DUPAD, HKU, is accepting abstracts until 𝟐𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. Don't miss your chance to be part of this important dialogue. 📝

China is undergoing profound demographic, economic, social, ecological, and environmental transformation. Advancing innovative, liveable, beautiful, resilient, civilised, and smart cities—centred on people's needs and well-being—has become a national priority. Achieving genuinely people-centred, high-quality urban development amid this transformation is a core concern for research and practice.


Under the theme “𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭", the 2026 UCRN Annual Conference will convene scholars, policy researchers, and early-career academics from across countries, regions, and disciplines to foster rigorous, constructive dialogue on key theoretical debates and pressing real-world challenges in China's urban transformation.
Hosted in Zhengzhou, the conference provides a forward-looking platform for scholars, practitioners, government officials, and graduate students across countries, cities, institutions, and disciplines to exchange ideas.

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🗓️ Conference Dates: 28–30 August 2026
📍Venue: Henan University, Zhengzhou, China 🇨🇳

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📌 Important Dates
⭐ 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟐𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ⭐
• Abstract acceptance notification: 30 June 2026
• Registration opens: 30 June 2026
• Registration deadline: 15 July 2026
• Full paper submission (Doctoral Student Paper Competition & Best Conference Paper Award for Junior Scholars): 15 July 2026

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🔗 Abstract Submission:
https://v.wjx.cn/vm/YWHWcv5.aspx #

🔗 More Details:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tjGbJn92vkGYIoCUTgUKdQ

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The deadline is fast approaching – submit your abstract by 20 June and join us in Zhengzhou this August! 🌏✨

【🌉 Bridging Classroom with Real-World Leadership: A Student's Field Trip to Shenzhen】

We love hearing how our students connect classroom learning with real-world experience. 𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧, 𝐚 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐌𝐔𝐏) student at HKU, shares his recent field trip to Shenzhen as part of the Strategic and Community Planning Studio. 👏

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"Hi, My name is Mohammad Noor Uddin and I am from Bangladesh. I am a Year-1 Master of Science in Urban Planning (MUP) student at HKU. Recently I completed an incredible field trip to Shenzhen as a requirement of the Strategic and Community Planning Studio.

My first impression of Shenzhen? The expansive boulevards and meticulously landscaped road side gardens- the urban juxtaposition was beautiful!

I had the opportunity to deep dive into Shenzhen Smart City Governance with the Digital Twin Model, the prospect of San Tin Technopole development in relation to Hetao Shenzhen Science park, Drone and High tech development at Liuxiandong Headquarters Base, Revitalization and Heritage conservation of Nantou Ancient Town and Inspection of Shenzhen's evolution from special zone to megacity at the Museum of Art. I was amazed by the extensive database created by the Shenzhen Smart City group which included almost every physical aspect of the city like roads, buildings, utility network lines and even individual building floors. Beyond the modern city, I also learned about the rich history of Southern China from Nantou Ancient Town. It was fascinating to discover how Hong Kong ('Fragrant Harbour' in Chinese) got its name from exporting agarwood, and to trace the ancient trade routes in the region with European and Arab merchants.

I believe strategic thinking is essential while dealing with problems of real world complex urban dynamics. By combining this study tour to Shenzhen and site visit to the Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis and along with brainstorming of the theories of strategic and community planning, I am now better equipped to understand the viability, opportunity and challenges of a successful technology hub development. The critical location of the Northern Metropolis- situated between Shenzhen in the North and Harbour Metropolis in the South- presents a unique opportunity to be incorporated into an iconic territorial corridor plan."

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Thank you Mohammad, for sharing your inspiring journey! 🌏

It's incredible to see how field-based learning, cross-border comparison, and strategic thinking come together to shape the next generation of urban planners.

Interested in pursuing an MUP at HKU?
🔗 Learn more: https://www.arch.hku.hk/programmes/upad/master-of-science-in-urban-planning/

【 Submit Your Abstract for APSA 2026 – Deadline Extended ✍🏻】

Great news! The 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 for the
𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐀) has been extended to 𝟐𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 to welcome more abstracts. 🏙️

Congress details:
🗓️ Congress Dates: 28–29 November 2026 (Sat)
📍 Venue: Loke Yew Hall, Main Building, HKU
🎯 Theme: Planning Infinite Urban Futures

The congress aims to explore how planning can navigate uncertainty, rapid technological transformation, climate change, demographic shifts, and evolving social aspirations across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. We warmly invite you to submit your abstract and contribute to the dialogue on planning infinite urban futures! 📝

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⭐ 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝟐𝟏 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ⭐

We invite submissions under 𝟏𝟓 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬:
🔹 AI, automation, and future cities
🔹 Urban analytics and smart cities
🔹 Climate resilience and adaptation
🔹 Social equity and wellbeing
🔹 Rural-urban interface
🔹 Sustainable high-density cities
🔹 Urban ecology and environment
🔹 Healthy cities
🔹 Urban heritage and conservation
🔹 Planning education and pedagogy
🔹 Transportation and infrastructure
🔹 Housing and livability
🔹 Design and place making
🔹 Urban governance
🔹 Urban and regional development

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🔗 More details on abstract submission: https://apsacongress2026.arch.hku.hk/index.php/submission/
🔗 Submission link: https://easychair.org/cfp/apsacongress2026
🔗 Event website: https://apsacongress2026.arch.hku.hk/
📧 For enquiries: [email protected]

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Don't miss this opportunity to share your research and connect with the global planning community. Submit your abstract today! ✨

【📢 2026 UCRN Conference – Abstract Submission】

We are pleased to invite you to submit an abstract for 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 (𝐔𝐂𝐑𝐍), co-organized by the Department of Urban Planning and Design (DUPAD), HKU. 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. 📝
China is undergoing profound demographic, economic, social, ecological, and environmental transformation. Advancing innovative, liveable, beautiful, resilient, civilised, and smart cities—centred on people's needs and well-being—has become a national priority. Achieving genuinely people-centred, high-quality urban development amid this transformation is a core concern for research and practice.


Under the theme “𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞-𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭", the 2026 UCRN Annual Conference will convene scholars, policy researchers, and early-career academics from across countries, regions, and disciplines to foster rigorous, constructive dialogue on key theoretical debates and pressing real-world challenges in China's urban transformation.
Hosted in Zhengzhou, the conference provides a forward-looking platform for scholars, practitioners, government officials, and graduate students across countries, cities, institutions, and disciplines to exchange ideas.

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🗓️ Conference Dates: 28–30 August 2026
📍Venue: Henan University, Zhengzhou, China 🇨🇳

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📌 Important Dates
⭐ 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟐𝟎 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ⭐
• Abstract acceptance notification: 30 June 2026
• Registration opens: 30 June 2026
• Registration deadline: 15 July 2026
• Full paper submission (Doctoral Student Paper Competition & Best Conference Paper Award for Junior Scholars): 15 July 2026

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🔗 Abstract Submission:
https://v.wjx.cn/vm/YWHWcv5.aspx #

🔗 More Details:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tjGbJn92vkGYIoCUTgUKdQ

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Don't miss this extended opportunity! Submit your abstract by 20 June and join us in Zhengzhou this August! 🌏

⏳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 – 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐰! 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

【🚀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐊𝐔-𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 | 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝! (𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲)🔥】

Join the inaugural HKU-MIT AI for Cities Summer Institute and explore AI-assisted future cities with leading minds from HKU, MIT, and beyond. Co-established by DUPAD and the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science (HK Base), in collaboration with the MIT Senseable City Lab, the MIT Center for Real Estate, and Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Co., Ltd., 🤖🌆

Themed “𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬,” the programme will delve into the integration of AI, big data, and urban research. Outstanding participants may receive 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 for selected DUPAD Taught Postgraduate programmes.
🔹 Programme Dates: 8–11 June 2026
🔹 Locations: Hong Kong and Guangzhou
🔹 Key areas: Socioeconomics, Environmental Resilience, Future Mobility, Urban Morphology
🔹 Eligibility: Final-year undergraduates or graduates (bachelor’s degree or above)
🔹 Fee: HKD 6,800 (tuition only, does not include transportation, accommodation, or meals)

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Programme Highlights
✨ Renowned Faculty: 7 scholars from HKU and MIT as mentors, supported by teaching assistants
✨ Conditional Offers for DUPAD TPG programmes (MURP, MUA, MUD, MoDUM, MUS&HM)
✨ Certificates for all participants
✨ Cash Prizes: 🥇HKD 5,000 | 🥈HKD 3,000 | 🥉HKD 1,500 per group

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📌 How to Apply (Rolling Admission)
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Required:
- CV (max 2 A4 pages)
- Personal statement (max 200 words)
- Optional: Work/writing sample (max 10 MB)

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🔗 Apply: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8jwuDXwoJLjWwS
🔗 Details: https://www.arch.hku.hk/events_index/general_events/?cat=summer-program
📧 Contact: [email protected]

【🌿 Last Chance – Don't Miss the Indoor Subtropical Jungle!】

Time is flying! Our inaugural exhibition at the 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞 (𝐒𝐊𝐋‑𝐒𝐁𝐔𝐒‑𝐇𝐊) is open until the 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐲. Don’t miss the final chance to experience it!⏳

📍 Exhibition: 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Step into HKU's first indoor subtropical jungle garden – immerse with layered subtropical planting and a hydroponic vertical green wall. It's a living, breathing space designed to spark fresh thinking on how nature and society can work together in the face of rapid urbanization and climate change. 🌳🌏

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🗓️ Date: Until late May 2026
📍 Venue: Glass Room, UG01, Knowles Building, HKU
(in the walkway connecting Knowles Building and K.K. Leung Building)

【𝐃𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 | 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠】

On 8 May 2026, DUPAD successfully launched its inaugural Executive Talk Series with a timely and insightful lecture entitled “𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠”, delivered by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐮𝐦-𝐦𝐢𝐧, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS).

The event was very well attended, attracting more than 50 participants. 🙌 The lecture was followed by a lively and engaging discussion, with participants exchanging views enthusiastically on the future of housing development, sustainable communities, ageing-in-place, and the role of innovation in improving liveability. 💬🏡

Drawing on HKHS’s long-standing experience as Hong Kong’s not-for-profit “housing laboratory”, Mr. Chan shared how the organisation has, since its establishment in 1948, provided affordable and quality housing solutions while piloting innovative approaches to meet the city’s evolving housing needs. He introduced HKHS’s work across housing development and property management, noting its delivery of over 100 projects and more than 77,000 units. 📊

A key focus of the talk was HKHS’s integrated development model, which brings together public rental housing, subsidised sale flats, elderly housing, retail, social and community facilities to promote inclusive and intergenerational living. Mr. Chan highlighted examples such as Ming Wah Dai Ha and Casa Sierra, demonstrating how housing design can support wellbeing, accessibility, community interaction and elderly-friendly living. 🌿♿

The talk also covered HKHS’s adoption of construction technologies and property technologies, including BIM, Modular Integrated Construction, smart estate management platforms, gerontechnology, AI-assisted services and digital tools for safety, carbon assessment and building management. 🤖🏗️ These initiatives illustrated how technology can enhance efficiency, quality, sustainability and residents’ quality of life. 📈

The session was addressed by Department Head, Prof. He, who welcomed the launch of the DUPAD Executive Talk Series and underscored the importance of connecting professional practice with academic learning.

We sincerely thank Mr. James Chan for sharing his valuable insights and all participants for their active engagement. Please look forward to more events in the 𝐃𝐔𝐏𝐀𝐃 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬. ✨

【🚀 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐇𝐊𝐔-𝐌𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 | 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝! (𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲)🔥】

Join the inaugural HKU-MIT AI for Cities Summer Institute and explore AI-assisted future cities with leading minds from HKU, MIT, and beyond. Co-established by DUPAD and the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science (HK Base), in collaboration with the MIT Senseable City Lab, the MIT Center for Real Estate, and Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Co., Ltd., 🤖🌆

Themed “𝐀𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬,” the programme will delve into the integration of AI, big data, and urban research. Outstanding participants may receive 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 for selected DUPAD Taught Postgraduate programmes.
🔹 Programme Dates: 8–11 June 2026
🔹 Locations: Hong Kong and Guangzhou
🔹 Key areas: Socioeconomics, Environmental Resilience, Future Mobility, Urban Morphology
🔹 Eligibility: Final-year undergraduates or graduates (bachelor’s degree or above)
🔹 Fee: HKD 6,800 (tuition only, does not include transportation, accommodation, or meals)

——

Programme Highlights
✨ Renowned Faculty: 7 scholars from HKU and MIT as mentors, supported by teaching assistants
✨ Conditional Offers for DUPAD TPG programmes (MURP, MUA, MUD, MoDUM, MUS&HM)
✨ Certificates for all participants
✨ Cash Prizes: 🥇HKD 5,000 | 🥈HKD 3,000 | 🥉HKD 1,500 per group

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📌 How to Apply (Rolling Admission)
𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟑𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Required:
- CV (max 2 A4 pages)
- Personal statement (max 200 words)
- Optional: Work/writing sample (max 10 MB)

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🔗 Apply: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_b8jwuDXwoJLjWwS
🔗 Details: https://www.arch.hku.hk/events_index/general_events/?cat=summer-program
📧 Contact: [email protected]

【 Submit Your Abstract for APSA 2026✍🏻】

Time is flying! There's just 𝟑 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 to submit your abstract for the 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐀), hosted by the Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong. 🏙️

Congress details:
🗓️ Congress Dates: 28–29 November 2026 (Sat)
📍 Venue: Loke Yew Hall, Main Building, HKU
🎯 Theme: Planning Infinite Urban Futures

The congress aims to explore how planning can navigate uncertainty, rapid technological transformation, climate change, demographic shifts, and evolving social aspirations across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. We warmly invite you to submit your abstract and contribute to the dialogue on planning infinite urban futures! 📝

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⭐ 𝐀𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟐𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 ⭐

We invite submissions under 𝟏𝟓 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬:
🔹 AI, automation, and future cities
🔹 Urban analytics and smart cities
🔹 Climate resilience and adaptation
🔹 Social equity and wellbeing
🔹 Rural-urban interface
🔹 Sustainable high-density cities
🔹 Urban ecology and environment
🔹 Healthy cities
🔹 Urban heritage and conservation
🔹 Planning education and pedagogy
🔹 Transportation and infrastructure
🔹 Housing and livability
🔹 Design and place making
🔹 Urban governance
🔹 Urban and regional development

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🔗 More details on abstract submission: https://apsacongress2026.arch.hku.hk/index.php/submission/
🔗 Submission link: https://easychair.org/cfp/apsacongress2026
🔗 Event website: https://apsacongress2026.arch.hku.hk/
📧 For enquiries: [email protected]

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Don't miss this opportunity to share your research and connect with the global planning community. Submit your abstract today! ✨

𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬: Launching More Imaginative Dialogue on Climate Resilience, Wellbeing, and Livability

On 22 April 2026, the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science Hong Kong Base (SKL-SBUS-HK) opened its inaugural exhibition at the Glass Room, Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong.🎊

The exhibition, titled “𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲”, transformed the Glass Room into HKU’s first indoor subtropical jungle garden. Through layered subtropical planting and a hydroponic vertical green wall system, it creates an immersive and publicly accessible green setting that invites guests to reflect on how the coexistence of nature and society may respond to challenges of rapid urbanization and the shifting climate boundary. 🌳

The exhibition was curated by Professor Shenjing He, Head of the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU, and Professor Yung Ho Chang, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at HKU. The opening brought together Mr James Chan Yum-min, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Hong Kong Housing Society, Professor Kelvin Wong, Executive Associate Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at HKU, Professor Wendy Y. Chen, Department of Geography, HKU, as well as guests from academia and industry, members of the Hong Kong Base, Professors and students from HKU Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Education etc., and members of the public, all convened to commemorate the opening of the Hong Kong Base’s first exhibition.

As the first exhibition following the launch of the SKL-SBUS-HK, this event reinforced the HKU Faculty of Architecture’s sustained commitment to and ongoing engagement with research and practices in subtropical building and urban science, while further responding to the intertwined questions of rapid urbanization, climate change, wellbeing, and future livability. Guests were also invited to adopt a sprig of Selaginella, carrying a touch of greenery from the indoor jungle and extending the exhibition’s natural imagery beyond the site itself.

Over the coming month, the Glass Room will remain open to the public as a space for participation and relaxation, continuing to host this indoor subtropical garden setting and welcoming more reflection on this living lab and meeting point between nature, the city, and contemporary urban concerns.🌏