Sustainable Urban & Sustainable Living Technology|HKUST

As a leading university dedicated to sustainable urban living technology, HKUST offers multidisciplinary smart city solutions to achieve sustainable urban development and improve the quality of urban life.

University Sustainable Urban Living Technology Research at HKUST

Urban sustainable living technology marks the advancement of the whole human race. From centuries ago, when humans started residing in cities, we continuously face challenges that threaten our daily lives. Therefore, university sustainable research projects are of utmost importance to address the existing problems and prevent upcoming risks. At the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), scientists and researchers fully understand the significance of scientific findings in the world. The university provides interdisciplinary smart city solutions to meet the environmental and other challenges arising from the rapid urbanization of the world, and contribute to the realization of sustainable urban development with major improvements in the quality of urban life.

Researches on urban sustainable living technology in HKUST represent a dominant part of the work done by HKUST’s research teams. HKUST harnesses technology and innovation to solve today’s critical global issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the aging population, conservation of natural resources and urban sustainable living technology.

Sustainable Urban City: A Common Future

Energy has become one of the most important and pervasive issues that society will face in the 21st century. The heavy dependence on oil and fossil fuels raises questions about national security and economic stability across different regions in the world. Much of our reliance on fossil fuels is producing carbon emissions that contribute to global warming, possibly creating the most serious environmental problem of this century. On the other hand, water problems, air quality, natural hazards and waste management are some of the global predicaments faced by leaders of the country. The urban sustainable living technology research of HKUST aims at addressing these pressing issues and developing a sustainable urban city.

The Development of Urban Sustainable Living Technology at HKUST

In order to cross the disciplinary boundaries necessary for people to understand and implement urban sustainable living technology solutions, the team of scientists and researchers at HKUST works relentlessly to change the pattern of our energy use and living habits. At the same time, the team also develops revolutionary urban sustainable living technology solutions to improve our current situation and turn HKUST into a sustainable university.

One example of urban sustainable living technology research at HKUST is the real-time AI-powered extreme weather and landslide warning system to mitigate the risks and damage of landslides in Hong Kong. Such advancement marks a great leap in urban sustainable living technology in Hong Kong to mitigate the alarming situation of the city’s environment. The multidisciplinary team of urban sustainable living technology research includes meteorologists, geotechnical engineers, geographic information scientists and computer scientists. The team works hand-in-hand to develop the novel real-time weather forecast system and a unique multi-source three-dimensional landslide monitoring system using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.

A Sustainable University Life at HKUST

HKUST is an institution of higher learning committed to fulfilling its social responsibility and teaching mission. The university is determined to set an example for society and pursue the principles of sustainable university development in teaching, research and the daily operations of the campus. The HKUST Sustainable Smart Campus as a Living Lab (SSC) is an effort to transform our campus into one where the campus itself is a platform for learning, experimenting, and showcasing new ideas and approaches.

Sustainability and intelligence are two important elements in the development of a sustainable university. Sustainability is a powerful set of concepts that can highlight a brighter future. However, bringing a sustainable university into reality requires pioneering actions and technologies to unlock the enormous potential of a sustainable world. Using the university as a testbed for research and testing new ideas to form a living laboratory, HKUST demonstrates its commitment by allocating $50 million to be awarded over the next three years to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and strategic partners who develop and implement projects on campus as showcases of developing a sustainable university and smart thinking.

The HKUST Smart Sustainable Campus as a living laboratory is a team effort, where the ideas of people from different disciplines and backgrounds are mixed to nurture the seeds of innovation. Through trial and error, revision, tweaking, and always being open to new ideas, these projects are never fully completed; rather, they are works in progress, a true reflection of the spirit of our HKUST community.

Apart from engaging in teaching and research to develop a sustainable university, HKUST also attaches great importance to the campus ecology and environment. The university is committed to incorporating elements of sustainable development in all aspects of campus life and operations to minimize the impact on the environment. Projects include upgrading the pond water treatment system to provide a healthy ecosystem for fish and other inhabitants of the Chinese garden pond in the campus, and the development of green AI cameras on campus to capture bird images and analyse data for public sharing. Upcycling food and yard wastes and converting them into hydrochar for soil amendment is also a major highlight of the university’s effort in fostering ecological restoration.

Backed by all of the projects on sustainability development, HKUST is devoted to transforming into a modern campus that set international standards with all possible details.

About the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is an internationally renowned research university with world-class standards in science, engineering, business management, humanities and social sciences. HKUST offers an international campus, and a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy to nurture well-rounded graduates with a global vision, a strong entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking.

HKUST attained the highest proportion of internationally excellent research work in the Research Assessment Exercise 2014 of Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee and is ranked as the world’s second-best young university in QS Top 50 Under 50 - 2022. The university is also ranked the 9th among the QS Asia University Rankings 2022 and the 34th of the World’s Top 1,300 Universities 2022 (No. 2 in Hong Kong) in QS World University Rankings.

FAQ:

Q1: What is sustainable urban living technology?

A1: Sustainable urban living technology refers to the use of innovative and environmentally-friendly technologies to support sustainable urban living. It includes technologies related to energy efficiency, waste management, transportation, and building design.

Q2: Why is sustainable urban living technology important?

A2: Sustainable urban living technology is important because it promotes environmentally responsible and socially inclusive urban development. It helps to reduce the negative impact of urbanization on the environment, while enhancing the quality of life for urban residents.

Q3: What are some examples of sustainable urban living technologies?

A3: Examples of sustainable urban living technologies include solar panels, green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, smart grid systems, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient building materials.

Q4: How can sustainable urban living technology be integrated into urban planning?

A4: Sustainable urban living technology can be integrated into urban planning by incorporating it into building codes and regulations, incentivizing developers and property owners to adopt sustainable technologies, and promoting public awareness and education about sustainable living.

Q5: What are the benefits of sustainable urban living technology?

A5: The benefits of sustainable urban living technology include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air and water quality, increased energy efficiency, reduced waste generation, and improved health and well-being for urban residents. Additionally, sustainable urban living technology can create new job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the sustainable technology sector.

Q1: What is a sustainable university?

A1: A sustainable university is a higher education institution that operates with a commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It aims to promote sustainability through its operations, research, teaching, and outreach activities.

Q2: What are some examples of sustainable practices in universities?

A2: Examples of sustainable practices in universities include reducing energy and water consumption, adopting renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable transportation options, reducing waste generation and promoting recycling, sourcing sustainable food and products, and promoting sustainability education and research.

Q3: How can universities promote sustainability among their students?

A3: Universities can promote sustainability among their students by incorporating sustainability into the curriculum and providing opportunities for experiential learning, such as sustainability-focused study abroad programs, internships, and research projects. Universities can also organize sustainability events, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness among students and engage them in sustainable practices.

Q4: Why is sustainability important for universities?

A4: Sustainability is important for universities because it helps to fulfill their social responsibility to promote sustainable development, reduce their ecological footprint, and prepare students to become sustainability leaders in their communities and workplaces. Additionally, adopting sustainable practices can help universities to reduce costs, improve their reputation, and attract environmentally conscious students and faculty.