Overview
About SKL-SBUS
Established by SCUT, SKL-SBUS focuses on major scientific and technological challenges in subtropical architecture and urban systems, particularly in smart transformation, carbon reduction, and resilience enhancement. Its key objectives include coordinated regional development and climate adaptation, green building design and cultural preservation, low-carbon construction and structural resilience improvement, alongside intelligent sensing and data-driven solutions. SKL-SBUS makes significant contributions to high-quality construction and sustainable development in the Greater Bay Area.
GBA’s Integrated Development s Climate Adaptation
Green Building Design s Cultural Inheritance
Low-Carbon Structure s Resilience Enhancement
Urban Intellectual Sensing s Digital-Driven Development
Why a Hong Kong Base for SKL-SBUS ?
The newly established Hong Kong Base is a comprehensive platform integrating scientific research, talent cultivation, and social service. Led by Professor Shenjing He, Lady Edith Kotewall Professor in the Built Environment and Head of the Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture, HKU, the Base is committed to cutting-edge research in areas such as innovative design for high‑density urban architecture in subtropical regions, urban ecological resilience and coordinated development, and smart cities and urban renewal models.
The Hong Kong Base of SKL-SBUS will provide robust technical support and professional consultation for key areas such as urban development, rural revitalisation, ecological protection, sustainable development, urban renewal, and smart transformation in both Hong Kong and the GBA, aiming to promote sustainable development across multiple dimensions, including urban quality, economic growth, and optimization of the ecological environment. The Base will thereby reinforce Hong Kong’s position as an international centre for finance, shipping and trade, as well as a hub for innovative technology, while actively integrating into the national development strategy. HKU and SCUT will work closely to build a multi‑level training system from undergraduate to doctoral levels, to nurture highly qualified professionals in architecture and urban science, equipping them with the expertise for international metropolitan development and regional innovative collaboration, for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the country.
Subtropical as a region, a climate, and a conceptual prism for architectural and urban research
A much-needed conceptual prism:
Tackling the ultimate challenges of our time urbanization amidst the Anthropocene and climate change
A shifting climate boundary:
The moving target under climate change,demanding proactive adaptation to mitigate risks to ecosystems and human settlements
A rapidly urbanizing region:
The epi-center of urbanization in the world’smost densely populated region
Poleward Expansion of the subtropical zone.
Source: Yu et al., 2020.