Building beyond boundaries: Hong Kong Construction Conference 2024

Hong Kong’s 2023 policy address revealed an ambitious roadmap for the construction and buildings industry, marking a promising direction for the city’s future development.

The government’s steadfast focus on critical and transformative change has had a mobilising effect across the industry, making this year’s Hong Kong Construction conference an optimal platform to showcase developments that resonate with the government’s vision for the industry.

Selling out one month before launch, this year’s event brought together 223 delegates, six sponsors (see below) and 23 supporting organisations at the Cordis Hong Kong for a day of insightful discussions, networking opportunities and an enthralling reel of new developments shaping the industry’s future.

Silver Sponsors: Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited, Invest Hong Kong, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited, Currie & Brown

Lunch sponsor: Varadise Limited

Supported by: Construction Industry Council

From technical topics like Modular Integrated Construction to practical applications of digital technologies and sustainability practices, let’s take a look at the event highlights.

Get a head start on regional industry trends and developments in 2024. Register your interest at the Hong Kong Conference.

Speaker Highlights

The opening address was delivered by the conference’s guest of honour Winnie Ho, JP, Secretary for Housing, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Vic Yau, JP, Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, Development Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivered a keynote speech on HK Northern Metropolis Development plan.

This is a new engine for Hong Kong’s future growth that takes an ‘industry-driven and infrastructure-led’ approach to its key planning axel.

He noted three indicators to accelerate the development of this plan:

• Proposed land uses and development options will be launched for all new land developments by 2024, ​
• land resumption procedures will commence for all major developments by 2027, and​
• formation of new development sites and completion of 40% of new flats will be completed by 2032.

His analysis covered the impact of the Northern Metropolitan Area on the construction of the GBA and challenges it faces in terms of industry positioning, land systems, development modes, cross-border elements and further cooperation mechanisms within the mainland and overseas.​

Key Learnings

Empowering women to succeed in construction

Panelists for this session included Ivy Lee, Managing Director, Leigh & Orange, Jill Kennedy FRICS, Director, Hong Kong, Currie & Brown and Katherine Shum MRICS, Director, North Asia, Rider Levett Bucknall.

Moderated by Cynthia Ma MRICS, Senior Project Commercial Manager at MTR Corporation, the Women Power talk brilliantly underscored the need for structural and cultural changes within organisations to support women and cultivate inclusive workspace cultures.

Panelists addressed strategic solutions to underrepresentation in leadership, women’s unique requirements for work-life balance, the importance of female mentorship programmes and the role of male allies.

Not only is this to promote equal opportunity and support for women professionals but to foster diverse leadership to improve retention rates in construction and attract new diverse talent in construction.

Paying back to the environment with Modular Integrated Construction (MiC)

A standout topic of the event, Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) has shown great potential to revolutionise the construction industry by enhancing the efficiency, sustainability and quality of projects.

As discussed by keynote speaker Anthony Cheung, Director and Vice President (Design) for Mainland China, Ronald Lu & Partners, up to 90% of building components can be prefabricated off-site, significantly reducing on-site labour, noise and waste.

This method not only accelerates the construction process but also minimises environmental impact, improving urban living spaces.

Highlighting a number of successful projects to encourage broader adoption of MiC, he presented numerous economic and environmental benefits toward advancing the construction sector's future.

Road mapping digital transformation in construction

Panelists for this session included Anita Ho, Director for Major Projects & Pursuits – Asia at Aurecon, George YY Wong, Head of Digital, Asia at Mott MacDonald, Professor Wilson Lu, Head of the Department of Real Estate and Construction at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and Raymond Kwok, General Manager - Environmental Science at Chinachem Group.

Moderated by Charlye Cheng, Head of Business Development at Varadise Limited, this session delved into the challenges arising with the integration of digital technologies such as digital twin systems, AI and robotics into the construction industry.

Poised to redefine the entire life cycle of construction projects, these technologies aim to enhance efficiency, improve performance and drive digital transformation.

With the right strategic implementation and application, they are expected to reshape business models, unlock enhanced income streams and create value through new opportunities.

Along with present, proactive solutions for harnessing the potential of this digital frontier, panelists discussed the importance of firms fostering a mindset that embraces planning and development for successful implementation.

To enhance contributions to the industry, surveying professionals can strategically leverage their skills under the advent of digitalisation, from understanding CITF funding and digital costs through planning cycles to leveraging domain expertise.

Strategies for sustainable planning in construction

Panelists for this session included Herman Tse, Head of Business and Professional Services at Invest Hong Kong, Dr Bruce Chong, Fellow and Director at Arup, Serena Mak, Executive Director for Sustainable Finance, Institutional Banking Group at DBS Bank (Hong Kong) and Steven Au, General Manager, Project Developments at Nan Fung Group.

Moderated by Peggy Tang, Senior Manager of Sustainability at Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, this session focused on integrating sustainability into construction projects, incorporating ESG principles and sharing strategies for attracting green finance.

Panelists showcased its potential to yield significant economic benefits, including faster, cheaper and greener methods, with high-tech solutions and innovative designs to improve building performance, reduce energy consumption and enhance climate resilience.

ESG compliance is increasingly becoming an indicator of firm-client trust, as collaboration and common standards are essential for effective sustainability efforts.

Despite higher initial costs, investing in sustainability yields long-term benefits, including savings from future carbon taxes and enhanced property value.

Diversity and efficiency in leadership

Panelists for this session included Eric Fong MRICS, Chairman, North Asia, Global Board Director at Rider Levett Bucknall, Ir Prof. Thomas Ho, JP, Chairman at Construction Industry Council (CIC) and Kevin O'Brien FRICS, Chief Executive at Gammon Construction Limited.

Moderated by Dr Esther Yung MRICS, Associate Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the leadership talk included the need for more diversity and inclusion in decision-making roles.

Within efforts to recruit more women in construction and present engineering and construction careers to young girls, firms are broadening their recruitment efforts to universities in the Greater Bay Area to facilitate cross-regional experience sharing.

Panelists also emphasised the role of digital transformation, highlighting the importance of digital tools, robotics and AI in improving efficiency. Moreover, universities are aligning their curricula with industry needs by incorporating more digital and AI-focused courses.

Additionally, there is a push to leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities in the Greater Bay Area to enhance productivity and innovation.

A resounding success for guests

The Hong Kong Construction Conference 2024 was a resounding success, providing valuable insights, fostering meaningful discussions and creating networking opportunities for all attendees. We look forward to welcoming even more delegates and partners next year as we continue to drive innovation and excellence in the construction industry.

Lee Fong Chung, MRICS
Member of RICS APAC World Regional Board, Member of RICS Hong Kong Regional Advisory Board, Chief Quantity Surveyor, Architectural Services Department, Hong Kong SAR

‘As the chairman of the Organising Committee this year, I can assure you that RICS is committed to remaining at the heart of the surveying industry and a key representation for our members. We strive to remain at the cutting edge of the market by being actively involved in the latest legislation and consulting on responses to government, local bodies, regulatory bodies, and policy makers. RICS is dedicated to the regional market but equally strives to provide Asian and global initiatives and perspectives to accurately position ourselves amongst other markets and reflect, learn, and grow.’

Ling Lam, FRICS
Managing Director, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited

‘Attending the RICS Hong Kong Conference was a truly enlightening experience. The event was well organised and offered valuable insights into the latest trends and best practices in the industry. The speakers were knowledgeable and experienced. The conference also offered great opportunities for networking, allowing the audience to connect with many industry experts. A big round of applause to RICS for organising such a successful event!’

John Gunning
Director, Currie & Brown

‘The conference was good and interesting. The array of guest speakers and panelists were impressive, and the subject matters were current and relevant. The venue was easy to find, and the food and refreshments were more than satisfactory. The social media notifications and administration were easy to handle and efficient.’

Stay up to date with regional insights at the Hong Kong Conference

The upcoming Hong Kong Conference 2024 is a premier industry event where we platform proactive dialogue, discuss actionable strategies and provide recommendations for the Hong Kong Authority.

These insights will play a crucial role in strengthening Hong Kong's infrastructure and solidifying its strategic position in the global context.

Explore the new opportunities and challenges facing Hong Kong's infrastructure and investment landscape. Register your place today.