KE Spotlight - Community Engagement - HKU Knowledge Exchange

HKU Department of Real Estate and Construction launches online platform on Building Maintenance Cost (BMC) Database and Estimator

Most building owners in Hong Kong are vulnerable to exploitative methods such as bid-rigging and price inflation by unscrupulous consultants and contractors when undertaking building maintenance projects. A research team from HKU Department of Real Estate and Construction, led by Professor K. W. Chau, was commissioned by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to analyze data on cost of building maintenance of 426 Operation Building Bright (OBB) projects that were managed by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) between 2009 and 2013. An interactive online platform, including a Building Maintenance Cost (BMC) Estimator, has been established to disseminate the findings of the project and help building owners estimate maintenance cost. To further enhance the transparency of the building maintenance market, the research team would like to appeal to owners of private buildings that have undergone comprehensive non-subsidized maintenance works to contact its department so that maintenance cost information can be shared, collectively analyzed, and publicized as reference benchmarks for the benefit of everyone in Hong Kong.

HKU architects win the "Small Project of the Year 2014" award at the World Architecture Festival

Mr John Lin and Mr Olivier Ottevaere of the Department of Architecture won the "Small Project of the Year 2014" award at the World Architecture Festival with their project, "The Pinch". The project was funded by the HKU Knowledge Exchange Fund in 2011/12. As part of the government-led reconstruction work following the 2012 Yunnan earthquake in China, the team collaborated with a local timber factory and built a community library in a village damaged by the earthquake. The library and the surrounding plaza offer public space for villagers to meet and children to read and play. World Architecture Festival is an annual festival and awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing architectural excellence from across the globe.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2014

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Following the successful launch of the Faculty KE Awards, the KE Award (Non-Faculty Unit) was introduced in 2012 with the same objective for the independent centres, institutes and units of the University. Results of the 2014 KE Awards are now available.

Knowledge Exchange Awards 2013

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Results of the 2013 Faculty KE Awards are now available.

HKU plans for new Western Gateway at Western Harbourfront

Professor Anthony Yeh Gar-on, Head and Chair Professor of the Department of Urban Planning and Design of HKU, has completed the Western Harbourfront Conceptual Master Plan for the Central and Western District Council. The plan will improve the public open space at the Western Harbourfront and convert it into a Western Gateway - a new landmark in Hong Kong.

"TKT Land Production" Exhibition - HKU Landscape Architecture exhibits to tell the stories of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing from "City｜Villages｜Countryside"

The "TKT Land Production" exhibition by the Division of Landscape Architecture of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) intends to represent Tsuen Wan's and Kwai Tsing's "real estates" to its original meaning, and to explain how, in fact, the significant roles that landscape play in forming, deriving, and allowing the emergence of the local culture, industry, and vibrant citylife that the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District now has. The exhibits of the HKU team are now showing at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen Wan until March 3, 2013.

Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards 2012

The Faculty Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards were introduced in 2011 in order to recognize each Faculty's outstanding KE accomplishment that has made demonstrable economic, social or cultural impacts to benefit the community, business/industry, or partner organizations. Following the successful launch of the Faculty KE Awards, the KE Award (Non-Faculty Unit) has been introduced this year with the same objective for the independent centres, institutes and units of the University.