HKIUD Urban Design Conference 2025
"Happiness and Well-being in Urban Design: Shaping A Joyful City"

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  1. HKIUD Urban Design Conference 2025
  2. HKIUD 15th Anniversary Annual General Meeting
  3. HKIUD 15th Annual Dinner cum HKIUD Awards 2025 Presentation Ceremony
  4. Local & GBA Guided Tour
During this difficult time, our heartfelt condolences and thoughts are with the deceased, the injured, their families and the brave firefighters and rescue teams who continue to work tirelessly on the ground. We will announce the new event arrangement as soon as possible. Please be rest assured that all existing registrations will remain valid for the rescheduled event.

The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (HKIUD) is pleased to announce the hosting of its 8th International Conference, themed "Happiness and Well-being in Urban Design: Shaping a Joyful City”. In an era of rapid urbanization in Hong Kong, the concept of the "Happy City" serves as a vital framework for reimagining urban living, aligning with the vision of “Pursuit of Happiness” outlined in the latest Policy Address. This year’s conference aims to explore how thoughtful urban design can enhance the quality of life for urbanites, fostering happiness, well-being, and community engagement. Under the theme " Happiness and Well-being in Urban Design: Shaping a Joyful City," HKIUD will unite professionals from both local and international backgrounds, as well as Government departments and Organizations, to discuss innovative strategies and visions that prioritize the human experience in urban environments.

Through keynote speeches and panel discussions, international keynote speakers and local panelists will share best practices, case studies, and visionary ideas illustrating how urban design can transform cities—especially Hong Kong—into happier, healthier, and more sustainable places to live, to work and thrive. By prioritizing well-being in urban design, we can cultivate communities that not only survive but also thrive, ultimately leading to a more joyful urban experience for all.



Date: 19 March 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 8:45am – 5:00pm
Venue: The Grand Ballroom, Kowloon Shangri-la
Language: English and Putonghua (with simultaneous interpretation in English and Mandarin)
Fee: HKD$200 (Physical Format)
HKD$100 (Online Format Via Zoom)

Program Rundown
Time Session Speaker

8:45-9:15

Registration / Morning Coffee

9:15-9:20
Welcome Remarks
Mr. Benny CHAN
President of HKIUD
9:20-9:50
Opening Address and Keynote Speech 1 by Guest of Honour (GOH)
Topic: Keep Smiling ... and Let it Spread!

Ms. Winnie HO, JP
Secretary for Housing, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
9:50-9:55

Photo taking of GOH, speakers, moderators, VIP and supporting organizations

9:55-10:00
Souvenir Presentation by President of HKIUD
10:00-10:30

Keynote Speech 2
Topic: Urban happiness  - How to develop socially sustainable environments that promote health and wellbeing?


Prof. Marketta KYTTÄ
Professor of Land Use Planning, Aalto University, Finland
10:30-10:45
Coffee Break
10:45-11:10 Keynote Speech 3
Topic: Lee Gardens – A Place for ALL


Ms. Winnie WONG

General Manager, Projects of Hysan Development Company Limited
11:10-11:35
Keynote Speech 4
Topic: Immersive, Outstanding, and Outrageous Public Spaces & Urban Activations


Mr. Marcial JESUS
Founder / CEO of 100architects

11:35-12:00 Keynote Speech 5
Topic: Design for Life

Prof. Yung Ho, CHANG
Dean of the Faculty of Architecture & Chair Professor of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
12:00-12:50

Panel Response / Q&A Session
Topic: Well-being-Based Urban Design and Management: From Concept to Practice

All keynote speakers in morning session

Panel speaker:
Mr. Ming Cheong CHUNG
Assistant Director of ArchSD, HKSAR Government

Mr. Max WONG
Assistant Director of Housing Department, HKSAR Government

Mr. Anthony CHEUNG
Chairman, Public Affairs Committee, HKIUD

Moderator:
Ar. M. Y. Ivan HO
Chairman of Harbourfront Commission,
Vice President of HKIUD (2014-2018)

12:50-14:00

Lunch Break

14:00-14:25

Keynote speech 6
Topic: Building a Joyful City:
Opportunities and Challenges in Urban Renewal


Ar. Donald CHOI
Managing Director, Urban Renewal Authority
Past President of HKIUD

14:25-14:50

Keynote Speech 7
Topic: Happiness in Cities:
A Global Ranking and Analysis




Dr. Shun WANG,
Senior Associate Professor
International Business School Suzhou (IBSS),
Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

14:50-15:15

Keynote Speech 8
Topics: Building a joyful and inclusive city through community engagement and intersectoral collaboration



Dr. Paty RIOS

Senior Public Space Stewardship Planner,
City of Vancouver
15:15-15:45

Keynote Speech 9
Topic: Wellbeing-Based Urban Design and Management



Prof. Takehiko NAGUMO
Professor of Keio University and Kyoto University
Representative Director at Smart City Institute, Japan
15:45-16:00

Coffee Break

 

16:00-16:50

Panel Response/ Q&A Session
Topic: Happiness in Cities:
Global Rankings, Metrics, and What Hong Kong Can Learn

All keynote speakers in afternoon session

Panel speaker:
Ms. Elsa CHEUK Hau-kwan
Assistant Director of Planning/Territorial, Planning Department, HKSAR Government

Dr. Louis NG
Director, HK Palace Museum

Mr. Barry WILSON
Immediate Past President of HKIUD

Moderator:
Mr. Charles LI
Vice President (External Affairs) of HKIUD
16:50-16:55

Souvenir Presentation by President of HKIUD

16:55-17:00
Closing Remarks
Mr. Peter WU
Chairman of HKIUD Conference Organising Committee



Local Guided Tour: Evolving Urban Landscape for a Joyful City

Join the HKIUD for a curated site tour through Hong Kong’s evolving urban landscape, featuring key destinations that showcase innovative housing and public space design. The journey begins at Housing Authority’s Public Rental Housing Project, Kai Chuen Court in Diamond Hill, a thoughtfully planned public housing estate integrating community amenities and sustainable design. Nearby, the Diamond Hill Water Feature Park offers a refreshing green respite with landscaped water elements. The tour continues to the Kai Tak Light Public Housing project, a pioneering transitional housing scheme addressing urgent residential needs. At Kai Yan Court, participants will explore compact, modern living within a vibrant urban setting. Finally, the tour concludes at Kai Tak Station Square, a large urban plaza, where ecological landscaping and public event spaces redefine civic engagement in the city.

# Quota is limited. First comes first serve. (**QUOTA IS FULL**)

Date: 21 March 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30-12:30
Gathering Point: Diamond Hill Kai Chuen Court
Registration fee:
Free of charge (**QUOTA IS FULL**)

Local Guided Tour Rundown
Time Location
9:30-10:45 Diamond Hill- Kai Chuen Court and Water Feature Park
10:45-11:00
Diamond Hill station to Kai Tak station by MTR
11:00-11:45
Kai Tak Light Public Housing
11:45-12:30 Kai Tak Station Square



Guided Tour on Outstanding Urban Design Projects in Greater Bay Area

Quality urban design is indispensable for creating livable and joyful cities. Cities within the Greater Bay Area must share and learn from each other successful cases to further enhance our overall urban quality. In this guided tour, we will take you through two projects that have won the Grand Award of the Greater Bay Area Urban Design Awards:

Central Area of Dongguan Eco-Industrial ParkTransformation of Polluted Land into an  Eco-Friendly District
Years ago, the site was plagued with litter and polluted water; a typical example of adverse environmental impacts due to the rapid urbanization in GBA. The project concept was to translate ecological principles into design actions, implementing a series of environmental restoration measures to form a distinct area with" water network" centered around the Eco-Industrial Park and connecting six nearby towns, with lakes and islands created. Native wetland plants capable of eliminating residual pollutants were selected to transform this once polluted area into an environmentally friendly industrial park and a popular recreational area. It is a good model of sustainable development in the GBA.

Urban Acupuncture - The Renewal And Reconstruction Of Juzikeng Village in Shenzhen, China
As a typical urban village located in Longgang District, Shenzhen, Juzikeng Village has provided a place of residence for generations of young people with painting dreams over the past 26 years. However, due to population growth with the passage of time, the community now suffers from insufficient public spaces and aging infrastructure. Through acupuncture-style organic renewal, this project aims to enhance the sense of community belonging, revitalize the commercial ecosystem, and sustain its vitality.

# Quota is limited. First comes first serve.

Date: 21 March 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 9:30-18:00
Gathering Point: Main Entrance, G/F Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel
Registration fee : HKD $250 (Lunch included)

Greater Bay Area Tour Rundown
Time Location
9:30-10:30 Hong Kong to Shenzhen
10:30-12:30 Urban Acupuncture - The Renewal And Reconstruction Of Juzikeng Village in Shenzhen
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:30 Shenzhen to Dongguan
14:30-16:30 Urban Design for the Central Area of Dongguan Eco-Industrial Park Project
16:30-18:00 Dongguan to Hong Kong

Enquiry
Email (Payment Proof): inq@hkiud.org
Enquiry Email: zelia.law@blink.com.hk / gba@hkiud.org (Mainland Enquiry)
Enquiry Tel: +852 3797 5710 / 6535 6401
Contact Person: Ms Zelia Law / Mr Tim Ng (Mainland Enquiry)



Funded by:

Disclaimer:
Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material/any event organised under this project do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Vetting Committee of the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme. This material/event is funded by the Professional Services Advancement Support Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.