Professional Bodies Engagement

The DSD believes that interaction with the industry is beneficial to advancing innovation and sustainable development. In the year under review, apart from co-organising the 8th International Water Association Asia Pacific Regional Group (IWA-ASPIRE) Conference and Exhibition as well as research and development tea gatherings (refer to Chapter 1—Highlights of 30th Anniversary for details), we took the initiative to recount our work and carry out technical exchanges with local academics, professionals, industry representatives, other stakeholders and government departments through workshops and seminars.

Annual Concrete Seminar 2019

The DSD and other government departments on the Standing Committee on Concrete Technology co-hosted the Annual Concrete Seminar (ACS) 2019 themed “Solutions of Enhancement and New Technology in Concrete” on 2 April 2019. Over 300 practitioners, scholars and engineers from the construction industry attended the event. Speakers shared their valuable engineering experience and research findings and exchanged ideas on concrete technology.

Hong Kong and Shanghai Symposium on Science and Technology 2019

Themed "Building a World-Class City Cluster—Opportunities and Challenges for Technologists", the 12th Hong Kong and Shanghai Symposium on Science and Technology was held in Hong Kong from 27 to 28 September 2019. The Symposium promoted the exchange of experience in technology and knowledge between Shanghai and Hong Kong through discussion. Guests included Mr ZHOU Xiang, Transports Planning Officer of Shanghai Academy of Urban Planning and Design, Dr CHUNG Wai-keung, Under Secretary for Innovation & Technology, Mr PANG Yiu-hung, the then Deputy Director of Electrical & Mechanical Services, and Mr MAK Ka-wai, the then Deputy Director of Drainage Services.

Co-organising a Workshop with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education

The DSD and the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (IHE Delft) co-organised a workshop titled “Shifting Time Horizons in Strategic Planning to Enhance Climate Resilience in Hong Kong” on 31 October 2019. Speakers from the Netherlands shared their valuable knowledge and international experience on combating climate change with around 40 participants from different government departments as well as Executive Committee members and representatives of IWA Hong Kong. Participants gained insights into both short-term and long-term strategies for enhancing climate resilience in Hong Kong through group discussions. At the end of the workshop, Director of Drainage Services, Mr Kelvin LO Kwok-wah, and representative of the IHE Delft, signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding on Knowledge and Capacity Development in Sustainable Stormwater Management.