SDG 11| Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Over seven million people live in Hong Kong today.  Like many other large cities around the world, Hong Kong faces the urban challenges of congestion, shortage of housing and pollution.  At CUHK, we are deeply aware of these problems.  We conduct research to help the government to address the problems that affect Hong Kong, and also organize outreach programmes to generate debate on the future development of our city.

Curriculum

55 related courses were offered in the 2021–22 academic year.

Policies

In order to protect its historical heritage and minimize disturbance to wildlife, CUHK has introduced regulations which apply to contractors operating on its campus and environmental guidelines governing work on construction sites.

The University also endeavors to care for its many trees, and to preserve a green environment on campus.  Under the Tree Preservation Policy, an inventory of trees of conservation value has been made, which the University updates regularly.  The information obtained has been used to prepare a habitat map, and informs decisions on campus planning and development.

Research

Carbon emissions are a major contributor to global warming, and transport accounts for a higher percentage of carbon emissions than other sectors of the economy.  Reducing the impact of transport emissions on climate change and the environment as a whole has become a pressing issue.  A study led by Professor Sylvia He from the Department of Geography and Resource Management seeks to understand the link between smart mobility and health and wellbeing at the individual and regional levels.  Its findings will help urban policymakers and planners in designing and implementing programmes to incentivize people to adopt more sustainable travel behaviours.

A research team from the Institute of Future Cities has suggested a bioclimatic design along urban waterfronts to mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve urban quality of life.  By analysing redeveloped urban forms, ventilation corridors and extensive greenery at waterfront in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong, the team found that the skilful use of combined urban forms and ventilation corridors along waterfronts could produce a more acceptable pedestrian-level wind environment and improve ventilation within inner urbanized areas, while the provision of more greenery along waterfronts would have significant cooling benefits.

Advancing sustainable development in Hong Kong

Happy Ageing Lab, a social enterprise funded by the CUHK Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund in 2021, advocates a new approach to the design and management of the built environment in the interests of healthy ageing, by providing participatory research and development services, bridging users and professionals, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.  The lab has organized a community project, The Nutcrackers, to encourage old people to explore how the built environment influences their own wellbeing.

The I·CARE Community Research Scheme allows CUHK students from different disciplines to work together to conduct research on social issues, deepening their understanding of deprived communities and encouraging them to become more active citizens by addressing pressing social problems.  In the 2020–21 academic year, the student research team studied the topic of local interim housing through interviews, site inspection and literature review.  It then released a report of the study’s findings, with recommendations for the long-term development of interim housing.

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