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The Building Technology Research Institute (BTRi) was officially established on 15 August 2024. It is a limited company wholly-owned by the Financial Secretary Incorporated of the Government, with Mr Hon Chi-keung and Dr Chan Ka-kui appointed as the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson of the Board of the BTRi respectively. The BTRi will conduct research and development activities in areas covering innovative construction materials, construction methods and technologies, as well as devise standards, conduct testing and provide accreditation. Through collaboration with government authorities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), the BTRi will foster interconnectivity and integrated development of the GBA, and help build the brand of "GBA Standards" by developing standards for different domains of construction......

The Secretary for Development and Chairperson of the Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE), Ms Bernadette Linn, officiated at the convocation ceremony for the 5th and 6th cohort of the 2023/24 Major Projects Leadership Programme (MPLP) on 22 July 2024. Speaking at the convocation ceremony, Ms Linn said that Hong Kong possesses all the necessary elements to become an “International Infrastructure Centre”, and she announced Hong Kong will host the inaugural International Infrastructure and Projects Leaders Summit this November to bring together major projects leaders and experts in infrastructure from around the world to exchange insights in project delivery and governance......

The assembly ceremony for the S960 ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) footbridge for Fanling North New Development Area, Phase 1 – Fanling Bypass Eastern Section was successfully conducted on 18 July 2024, celebrating the milestone achievement of the pioneering application in S960 ultra-high strength steel in public works. The adoption of S960 ultra-high strength steel can reduce the weight of the footbridges and the number of piles, enhancing the sustainability of the project. In addition, the components were prefabricated in factories, reducing site work and enhancing speed, quality and efficiency of the project. It is a successful demonstration of applied R&D through close collaboration between the government, the academia and the industry......

In the latest World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY) 2024 published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Hong Kong's ranking moved upward by two places to 5th globally and continued to be one of the most competitive economics in the world. Among the four competitiveness factors in the WCY 2024, Hong Kong's global ranking in "Infrastructure" rose notably to 9th, with its sub-factor "Basic infrastructure" ranked 3rd in the world, showing that Hong Kong has been recognized for its effectiveness in delivering capital projects in the recent years......

The Secretary for Development, Ms. Bernadette Linn, officiated the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Annual Conference 2024 with the theme "Design in the Digital and AI Era”. In her opening remarks, she shared that the government had been committed to adopt advanced digital technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance the cost-effectiveness of government projects. She viewed that AI would be a catalyst for transformation of the construction industry and encouraged industry practitioners to embrace AI technologies......

The Secretary for Development, Ms. Bernadette Linn, witnessed the signing of the MOU between the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and participating parties, jointly committing to apply Hong Kong’s “BEAM Plus” green building assessment tool to projects outside Hong Kong. HKGBC and BSL also announced the launch of new Global Version of "BEAM Plus", which is a significant step to enhance its international recognition and promote the development of green finance in Hong Kong......

The ceremony was officiated by Mr. Michael Wong, the Deputy Financial Secretary and the Honorary Vice-President of the Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE). It was also attended by the Acting Secretary for Development, Mr. David Lam, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) and the Superintendent of the CoE, Mr. Ricky Lau. Mr. Wong congratulated the 2nd-year graduates for successfully completing the program and also welcomed the new cohort members joining the PDCP this year, which included senior professionals from major public sector organizations, engineering consultants and contractors......

Co-organised by the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province and the People's Government of Huizhou Municipality, the event brought together some 300 participants from the construction sector in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, including government representatives, developers, contractors, consultants and MiC suppliers, with an aim to fostering closer collaboration within Greater Bay Area on the development of MiC......

Around 50 project leaders from government, public organisations, engineering consultants and contractors received graduation at the Major Projects Leadership Programme (MPLP) Convocation Ceremony. During the ceremony, the Secretary for Development and Chairperson of the Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE), Ms. Bernadette Linn, encouraged all the graduates to make full use of their professional capability and work together to enhance the delivery of public works......

“Public Works Digitalisation – Driving value in the digital era” details the key steps the Government will take to achieve the ambition of increased data and technology use in the delivery of public works. This publication also describes how benefits will be realised by transitioning from a ‘data rich’, to an ‘information rich’ environment. To address a number of the core Industry challenges, the Government is taking a structured approach in driving value in project delivery through ‘better information’ for ‘better efficiency’ and ‘better outcomes’.

The 4-day event is co-organized by DEVB and CIC and is designed to facilitate cross-sector and cross-region exchange on sustainable construction. During opening ceremony, the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the government will invest in infrastructure development in the coming years, and it shall be a golden opportunity for the construction industry to embrace sustainable construction practices and incorporate the principles of ESG into the upcoming construction programmes. It shall help build a more sustainable and livable Hong Kong and to achieve our carbon neutrality goal......

The Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, visits the first MiC residential project in Hong Kong by a private developer. The project team states that MiC not only increase the construction speed but reduce on-site labour by 70%, reduce construction noise by 65%, reduce construction waste by 65% and reduce 80% of the lifting operations when compared with traditional construction methods, effectively improving the construction site work environment and safety. SDEV anticipates that the experience of this project will inspire the government to devise further measures to promote MiC development and encourage more private projects to adopt the technology, such that the construction industry can better cope with the manpower shortage and improve construction site safety......

With the theme "Whole-process Project Cost Governance", the forum focuses on the comprehensive and systematic approach to manage costs associated with a project throughout its entire life cycle, from inception, planning and design, construction to operation and maintenance stages. During the forum, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said the challenge of high construction costs is not unique to Hong Kong but indeed global, and he looked forward this challenge be tackled by tapping global wisdom and good practices. Speakers from government departments and industry entities of Hong Kong, the Mainland, the United Kingdom and Singapore exchanged views and shared experiences regarding the whole-process project cost governance......

The Strategic Public Policy Forum gathered prominent speakers from government, industry and academia to share the state-of-the-art research, practices and policies for enhancing the MiC supply chain. In addition, Architectural Services Department and MiCLab jointly signed the Memorandum of Understanding during the forum to strengthen collaboration to promote the R&D and effective application of MiC......

The Secretary for Development and Chairman of the CoE, Ms Bernadette Linn, said that the Government is committed to continuing investing in infrastructure development and there is much need to expand the infrastructure talent pool to ensure capital works projects meet public expectations for project efficiency and delivery. The MPLP was extended to relevant partners of public works projects early this year and was well-received. Upon completion of the 2023/24 MPLP, there will be a total of about 140 major project leaders from government bureaux and departments, public organisations, major engineering consultants and contractors attending this top-notch programme......

The President of the Legislative Council, Hon Andrew Leung, together with the Development Bureau and the Architectural Services Department, visited the manufacturing base of CIMC Modular Building Systems Holdings Co. Ltd. in Jiangmen to understand the MiC production process for the project. MiC can effectively uplift the construction productivity and reduce the impact of works on the operations of the Legislative Council. The project shall become a showcase of synergy between Hong Kong and the GBA on MiC......

Ms Linn visited the manufacturing bases of CIMC Modular Building Systems Holdings Co. Ltd. and China State Construction Hailong Technology Company Limited in Jiangmen and Zhuhai respectively. The manufacturers said that the overall project cost using MiC is lower than that of traditional construction methods, and that the transfer of traditional construction processes to a factory environment is also better than traditional construction methods in terms of productivity, quality management, environmental performance and occupational safety......

Representatives from the Development Bureau and the Architectural Services Department visited the mock-up rooms and the MiC modules installation at the CityU Student Hostel at Whitehead, Ma On Shan. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and in use by 2024 tentatively, two years ahead of the original schedule. Addressing the acute shortage of hostel places experienced at CityU, more students will have the opportunity to experience an enriched hall life sooner than expected......

The delegation led by Mr. Tan Meng Dui, CEO of Housing and Development Board (HDB) of Singapore visited the Subsidised Sale Housing site at Hung Shui Kiu Phase 1A which will be the tallest MiC project with balcony in Hong Kong. Representatives from the Development Bureau, Hong Kong Housing Society and Yau Lee Group greeted the delegates and explained the latest application and development of MiC in Hong Kong......

The Project Delivery Capability Programme (PDCP) is designed and delivered by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with an aim of providing systematic training for mid-tier managers of public works projects in the Government to enhance their professional skills and uplift project delivery capabilities, so as to deliver public works projects with a more innovative mentality and improved leadership skills. This year the programme shall extend the training to stakeholders outside the Government, with a view to jointly taking forward the long-term major development plans of Hong Kong......

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority of the United Kingdom (UK), Mr Nick Smallwood in London, with a view to enhancing collaboration in exchanging expertise and experience between Hong Kong and the UK in implementing infrastructure projects. Mr Lau said that Hong Kong and the UK recognise the complexity of implementing infrastructure projects and the challenges and opportunities in the delivery of Hong Kong and the UK's infrastructure programmes......

MPLP is designed and delivered by the Oxford Saïd Business School, with an aim of offering a high-level project management and leadership development programme to major project leaders so as to uplift overall performance and cost effectiveness of public works projects. This year the training is extended to stakeholders outside the Government, with overwhelming responses from top management of various international engineering consultants, contractors and public bodies......

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of Singapore, Mrs Tan Ching Yee. The MOU strengthens the collaboration in raising the productivity and performance of the construction industries in the respective markets and transforming project delivery through adoption of digitisation and innovative construction methods, as well as enhancing the leadership competency and project delivery capability of project leaders......

Co-organised by DEVB and the University-Government-Industry Consortium for Sustainable Urban Development (UGI Consortium), the forum with the theme "Bringing Applied R&D to New Heights" brought together about 400 scholars and stakeholders from the Government and the industry to exchange views on the promotion and adoption of applied R&D to enhance the industry performance in order to cope with the challenges ahead......

Organized by Project Strategy and Governance Office of Development Bureau, this forum is one of the signature events under the Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders to enhance the understanding of the industry on cost-based procurement, in particular for building projects. The forum brought about 100 construction professionals from the government, major public organizations and consultants. Speakers from different entities of the industry shared their views and experience on the cost-based procurement......

The Secretary of Development, Ms. Bernadette Linn, visited the MiC mockup for the residential development at Tonkin Street, Sham Shui Po jointly developed by URA and private developer. The project is Hong Kong’s first private residential development adopting concrete MiC, which demonstrates the applicability of MiC in projects with more diverse design elements. It is anticipated that MiC can increase the construction speed of the project by 30% and reduce the number of on-site workers by 70%......

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The Secretary of Development, Ms. Bernadette Linn, visited Hong Kong Housing Society’s MiC mockup at Fanling Kwan Tei, to understand the application of MiC in Hung Shui Kiu Phase 1A Subsidized Sales Flat project. MiC shall reduce the construction period and the 300 flats are estimated to be completed by 2024......

The “Construction 2.0” initiative is implemented to reform and upgrade the construction industry to prepare for the upcoming ambitious developments in Hong Kong. To improve project performance, PSGO and Oxford Global Projects collaborated to deliver an AI-enabled Project Surveillance System which examined data from a total of 2,700 years of combined construction activity in Hong Kong and analyzed typical and atypical cost and schedule performance. It then identified the most important early warning signs that a project is likely to underperform, and give senior management attention for timely action, leading to better cost and schedule outcomes. We believe this pioneering approach will inform future international efforts to improve project performance......

Chaired by the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mr Michael Wong, the Task Force will explore the further application of MiC and other technologies to speed up the construction of public housing. The Task Force will consider how to expedite the construction and completion of public housing by strengthening collaboration among various departments and streamlining the procedures......

Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office of the Development Bureau, Ir John Kwong, shares the way Hong Kong should extensively adopt MiC to achieve high productivity construction, aiming for less manpower requirement, shorter construction time, lower construction cost and better sustainability and safety performance......

The first Hong Kong Construction Common Data Environment Award is co-organised by the Development Bureau and the Construction Industry Council (CIC). At the Ceremony, the CIC also signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Renewals with higher education institutions aiming to introduce construction digitalisation content to their curriculums and equip students with the necessary knowledge of BIM and construction digitalisation before joining the construction industry......

The construction of the Penny's Bay and Kai Tak Community Isolation Facilities (CIFs) commenced on February 19 and completed on June 21. The two CIFs, providing around 10 000 units in total, have greatly enhanced the anti-epidemic capabilities of Hong Kong. Both CIFs adopted the MiC method, effectively reducing the overall construction time......

The Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, officiated the launch of a systematic training programme for mid-tier managers in the Government to enhance their professional skills in the delivery of upcoming capital works projects. The programme is expected to train about 100 senior professionals a year, from architects and engineers to surveyors and other industry specialists......

With the theme "Catching the Next Wave", speakers shared their views and insights on the future opportunities. The seminar was officiated by the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Ir. Ricky Lau, JP and brought together about 200 young construction professionals and stakeholders in the construction industry......

This publication summarized the key messages from the Project Cost Management Forum 2021, highlighting the importance of cost management and optimization in project delivery and their relevance in addressing the challenges identified in Construction 2.0. It also set out the way forward in enabling the industry to cultivate a cost-consciousness culture......

14 renowned local and international speakers from Mainland China, Japan, Singapore and the United Kingdom, shared the latest trends and their experience in MiC. The Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Ir LAM Sai-hung, JP provided the opening address and called for a wider application of the MiC technology in Hong Kong......

Building a cost-conscious culture, ensuring Hong Kong's resources and public funds are used smartly, effectively and efficiently - for the good of the industry and our economy, and for the well-being of our community......

The Chief Executive today officiated at the completion ceremony of the Fire Services Department (FSD)'s Married Quarters at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O. The quarters is the first high-rise building project adopting the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) method as a concrete construction approach in Hong Kong......

According to the Executive Director of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), Mr CHENG Ting-ning, Albert, under the concept of “Construction 2.0” put forward by the Development Bureau, there is a strong need for the construction sector to provide continuous training to professional staff to enhance their professional knowledge and skill levels......

The Centre of Excellence for Major Project Leaders (CoE), established in July last year, is to equip public officers with leadership skills for the delivery of public works projects. We are also actively promoting the digitisation of the works supervision system to enhance the standard and efficiency of works supervision......

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The first large-scale Construction Innovation Expo (CIExpo) held in Hong Kong earlier has attracted more than 23 800 visitors. The CIExpo featured four key themes with in-depth exploration of Offsite Construction, Robotics and Automation, Digital Solutions, as well as Advanced Technologies and Materials......

The project of the Disciplined Services Quarters for the Fire Services Department at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, comprises five quarters blocks, among which four have 16 storeys and one has 17 storeys. With 8 units on each floor, the quarters will provide 648 three-bedroom units of 50 square metres......

I was eager in promoting early intervention in project cost management model when I was the Secretary of Development and set up the Project Cost Management Office (PCMO) in 2016. PCMO has been upgraded and expanded to the Project Strategy and Governance Office (PSGO) this year. PSGO leverages the principles of "fitness for purpose" and "no frills" to conduct project vetting with a view to enhancing cost-effectiveness of the public works......

Modular integrated construction, or MiC in short, is one of the concrete examples of adopting innovation in the construction industry. The Development Bureau, in concert with the University of Hong Kong's Centre for Innovation in Construction and Infrastructure Development, conducted a study on the potential benefits of MiC in 2017......

The PSW, Mr LAM Sai-hung, says that the CoE will provide structured, continuous and contemporary high-level leadership professional training in the coming three years for about 150 project leaders, i.e., government directorate officials in charge of public works projects and senior leaders of the industry......

As the first of its kind in Asia, the CoE offers a high-level project management and leadership development programme to senior government officials. The aim is to equip them with a more innovative mentality and world-class leadership skills to enhance their project delivery capability, which will enhance project performance as a whole......

The aim is to increase transitional housing supply by using the most efficient, economical and environmentally friendly methods, viz. converting idle non-domestic buildings (e.g. school premises) and adopting the technology of Modular Integrated Construction, so as to alleviate the hardship faced by families awaiting public rental housing (PRH) and other inadequately housed households......

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The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd (CIMC) to learn about the business of its subsidiary, CIMC Modular Building Systems, which supplies construction components for the Construction Industry Council’s Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Display Centre in Kowloon Bay. MiC allows most of the labour-intensive and time-consuming processes to be accomplished in an off-site prefabrication yard, minimising the duration of work on construction sites and the demand for construction workers, thus enhancing productivity......

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today visited the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) Display Centre at the Zero Carbon Building complex in Kowloon Bay……

Located in Kowloon Bay, the Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) established by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) serves to showcase and promote smart city technologies and low carbon living. Recently, ZCB welcomed its new member – the Modular Integrated Construction Display Center......

The future must be built on productivity, on quality, safety and environmental performance. This demands innovation – from you, and from the construction industry as a whole. That's why the Government now advocates "Construction 2.0", smart movement towards automation, industrialisation and digitalisation......

The Chief Executive proposes “Construction 2.0” in the Policy Address, advocating “Innovation”, “Professionalisation” and “Revitalisation” to lead the industry to make changes, capitalise on future development opportunities and scale new heights……

A ground-breaking ceremony for the Disciplined Services Quarters for the Fire Services Department at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O was held today (September 24). As the first pilot project to adopt Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), the quarters will provide 648 units for married disciplined services staff......

The Government aims to promote and lead the adoption of MiC in the construction industry through piloting MiC in public projects.  In the long term, it is expected that MiC will improve construction productivity, expedite work progress, enhance site safety and ensure the quality of works......

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We set up the Project Cost Management Office (PCMO) in the Development Bureau to strengthen cost management of public works projects through "system re-engineering" and "design optimisation". Since its establishment in June this year, the PCMO has commenced the review of works requirements and policies in consultation with stakeholders......

With funding approval from the Legislative Council, the PCMO was established and has made considerable work progress in the past few months. So far, it has made recommendations for improving cost control for nearly 40 public works projects, which will save billions of dollars in expenditure......