1,800 Experts and Decision Makers Share Practical Ideas to Transform Cities Worldwide
HONG KONG, June 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The urgent need to swiftly translate sustainability strategies and best practices into actionable urban development plans was a key theme of the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 that concluded in Hong Kong today.
Regarded as the "Olympics" for the green building industry, the three-day conference was attended by a total of 1,800 green building advocates, public sector leaders, academics, and industry practitioners from 57 countries and regions. With the theme of "Transforming Our Built Environment through Innovation and Integration: Putting Ideas into Action," it included Keynote Speeches from globally respected thought leaders, as well as over 100 sessions where delegates engaged into deep-dived discussion based on academic research, business case studies, industry best practices, and government perspectives being shared.
High-level government support
Underscoring the importance of the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 Hong Kong (WSBE 17 Hong Kong) to future of urban living, the event, held during Hong Kong's 20th anniversary, received strong support from government leaders from Hong Kong and the Mainland China
Hon. LEUNG Chun-ying, Chief Executive; Dr QIU Baoxing, Representative of The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development & Counsellor of Counsellor's Office of the State Council, People's Republic of China; and other top officials of the Government of the HKSAR, officiated the Opening Ceremony on 5 June. Mr WONG Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment spoke at the Climate Change Plenary Session hosted by the UN Environment yesterday. At the Gala Dinner last night, Mr Matthew CHEUNG, Chief Secretary for Administration also presented awards to the Architectural Services Department, Hang Seng Management College and Swire Properties Limited, to recognise their efforts in achieving the highest number of BEAM Plus Final Platinum Projects. Mr Eric MA, Secretary for Development, addressed the Closing Ceremony today.
Focus on local issues from around the world
Set against a backdrop of China's rapid urbanisation and ongoing economic development, four special Mainland China Sessions investigated issues specific to green retrofitting technologies for buildings in China, challenges and opportunities brought by skyscrapers in the tier one cities, and the newly released assessment standard for healthy building, etc.
Hot issues in different countries were investigated at the four dedicated Regional Sessions. Representatives from all 20 regional Sustainable Built Environment conferences held in 2016 shared their viewpoints in Hong Kong and participated in open discussions about the significance of current conditions, initiatives, and trends in their regions. The opportunity to compare and contrast approaches and learn from one another was greatly valued by participants.
Passing the baton
Speaking at the WSBE17 Hong Kong Closing Ceremony today, Ir Conrad WONG, Chairman of the WSBE17 Hong Kong Organising Committee, reminded delegates of the need to act without delay. "Actions but not words make the difference which our planet needs so desperately right now," he said. "We can each do that by taking the things we have discussed and translating them into new research targets and planning policies. Policymakers and industry leaders can make use of their influence and professional knowledge to enable faster and more responsive actions towards a sustainable built environment."
Ir WONG also praised the creativity and passion for sustainability of the coming generation. WSBE17 Hong Kong received around 100 entries in its International Youth Competition, with imaginative ideas, projects, and action plans coming from multidisciplinary teams of tertiary students in 25 countries worldwide. The 8 winning teams were announced as part of the Closing Ceremony:
In closing WSBE17 Hong Kong, the International Co-owners of the Sustainable Built Environment Conference Series announced that Sweden will host the next world conference in 2020. Operates on a three-year cycle, the SBE Conference Series is regarded as the most influential of its kind globally.
About World Sustainable Built Environment Conference 2017 & the Conference Series
The Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) series began in 2000 and is now the pre-eminent international conference series on sustainable building and construction. The series operates on a three-year cycle with planning in year one, regional conferences in year two and a global conference in year three. Albeit strong competition, Hong Kong won the hosting right of the 2015-2017 cycle global conference, which will conclude the conference cycle by embracing all the top findings from the 20 regional conferences held in 2016.
With the theme of "Transforming Our Built Environment through Innovation and Integration: Putting Ideas into Action", WSBE17 Hong Kong will bring together 1,800 green building advocates, policy-makers, academics, and industry practitioners from 55 countries. The three-day event includes Keynotes, Plenary Session on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Roundtable and over 100 parallel sessions, with an exhibition alongside.
About the Organisers
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) was formed in 2007 under the Construction Industry Council Ordinance (Cap. 587). The CIC consists of a chairman and 24 members representing various sectors of the industry including employers, professionals, academics, contractors, workers, independent persons and Government officials.
The main functions of the CIC are to forge consensus on long-term strategic issues, convey the industry's needs and aspirations to the Government, provide professional training and registration services, and serve as a communication channel between the Government and the construction industry.
The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a nonprofit, member led organisation established in 2009 with the vision to help save the planet and improve the wellbeing of the people of Hong Kong by transforming the city into a greener built environment. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC). Its mission is to lead market transformation by advocating green policies to the Government; introducing green building practices to all stakeholders; setting design, construction and management standards for the building profession; and promoting green living to the people of Hong Kong.
Media Enquires
| Patrick Yu/ Cindy Cheuk |
Heidi Hui/ Sophie Fung |
| FleishmanHillard Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Green Building Council Secretariat |
| Tel: 2586 7877/ 2586 7872 |
Tel: 3994 8833/ 3994 8837 |
