Successful conclusion of the Hong Kong 2020 International Urban Forestry Conference

The Hong Kong 2020 International Urban Forestry Conference, the first-ever international conference on urban forestry organised by the Development Bureau (DEVB), was held at the JC Cube Auditorium, Tai Kwun, Central on 16 and 17 January. Under the theme of “Challenges and Opportunities of Urban Greening in High-density Cities”, the two-day conference invited more than 20 local, overseas and mainland speakers and attracted over 600 professionals and students to share views and experience on matters related to urban forestry. This time, I have specially invited the Head of Greening and Landscape Office (H/GLO) of the DEVB, Ms Vina WONG, to give you the conference details.

Opportunities and challenges of urban forestry

The contribution of trees in moderating temperatures and improving air quality is especially significant in a compact urban environment, not to mention the trees also enhance the visual appeal of a city. Hong Kong is a crowded and densely populated city that poses unique challenges and opportunities in our urban forestry work. For example: How can we achieve sustainable greening in high-density cities through meticulous planning and execution? How can we administer proper tree care in a constrained environment? How can we develop skyrise greenery including sky gardens, roof greening and vertical greening in the densely-built Hong Kong?

Pooling of International expertise and experience

In the nearly 10 years since its establishment in 2010, the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the DEVB has laid a solid foundation for the urban forestry work in Hong Kong. However, we still have a lot to learn as urban forestry involves a wide spectrum of topics, and specialised fields of knowledge are required in tree management and maintenance practices. I believe that this conference could help local industry practitioners gain experience and broaden their horizons through exchanges with international experts and sharing of the best practices. The conference also provided a platform to foster international ties on knowledge exchange of urban forestry related topics so as to explore the way forward.

Exploring planning and management of urban greening

The H/GLO of the DEVB, Ms Vina WONG, says that the conference was arranged in three sessions each with in-depth discussion of a key topic, namely Green Cities, Resilient Landscape and Tree Care. The speakers came from different disciplines, including arboriculture and urban forestry experts, academics, ecological experts, landscape architects, planners, engineers and researchers in technology.

In the session of Green Cities, the experts from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the Bureau of Forestry and Landscaping of Guangzhou Municipality, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Urban Forest Research Group in the United Kingdom as well as the scholars locally and from the National University of Singapore, shared their experience of implementing urban greening and the relevant academic study results. Meanwhile, the session of Resilient Landscape considered how to develop an urban forest to prepare for the changes in climate, ecology and the social environment, thereby enhancing the liveability and resilience of a city. In the session of Tree Care, academics and industry practitioners from all over the world shared their insights and experience on the management and maintenance of urban forests.

Field trip and exchange with local students

According to Ms Vina WONG, the conference arranged a public field session to the Victoria Park, during which experienced arborists explained how proper tree maintenance practices could reduce damages to trees under inclement weather. Several overseas speakers also interacted with more than 120 local tertiary students in the disciplines of landscape architecture, arboriculture and horticulture to discuss how to achieve sustainable urban forestry within a high-density city environment. Besides, some overseas experts conducted site visits to learn about Hong Kong’s development in the areas of “Rivers in the City”, “Management of Stonewall Trees” and “Skyrise Greenery”.

Proper planning and development of urban forestry work has never been easy in Hong Kong where it is densely populated. Through the conference, we wish to enhance the effectiveness of our work, foster closer ties with the international counterparts and, more importantly, raise public awareness on this issue as the work on urban forestry cannot depend solely on the efforts of the Government and the industry, but also the support from the general public. The conference was held last month but this blog is written at a critical time when we are fighting the infectious disease, with most of the large-scale conferences cancelled. I hope we can pull together to tackle the challenges with one mind and prevail against the virus.

 
Please click on the image above to watch the video.
The Secretary for Development, Mr WONG Wai-lun, Michael, delivers a welcome message at the Hong Kong 2020 International Urban Forestry Conference opening ceremony. Opened at the Tai Kwun on 16 January, the two-day conference has attracted more than 600 professionals and students.
The Secretary for Development, Mr WONG Wai-lun, Michael, delivers a welcome message at the Hong Kong 2020 International Urban Forestry Conference opening ceremony. Opened at the Tai Kwun on 16 January, the two-day conference has attracted more than 600 professionals and students.
The Head of Greening and Landscape Office of the Development Bureau, Ms Vina WONG, says that urban forestry is not just about tree planting, but it covers a wide range of issues. The conference is expected to broaden the horizons for the industry.
The Head of Greening and Landscape Office of the Development Bureau, Ms Vina WONG, says that urban forestry is not just about tree planting, but it covers a wide range of issues. The conference is expected to broaden the horizons for the industry.
More than 20 local, overseas and mainland experts and academics have been invited to speak and share their views on three key topics, namely Green Cities, Resilient Landscape and Tree Care.
More than 20 local, overseas and mainland experts and academics have been invited to speak and share their views on three key topics, namely Green Cities, Resilient Landscape and Tree Care.
More than 20 local, overseas and mainland experts and academics have been invited to speak and share their views on three key topics, namely Green Cities, Resilient Landscape and Tree Care.
Local industry practitioners and students can watch the live broadcast of presentations and discussions at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) (the Chai Wan Campus).
Local industry practitioners and students can watch the live broadcast of presentations and discussions at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) (the Chai Wan Campus).
Local industry practitioners and students can watch the live broadcast of presentations and discussions at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) (the Chai Wan Campus).
Discussions have been arranged between overseas speakers and more than 120 students in the disciplines of landscape architecture, arboriculture and horticulture on how to achieve the sustainable urban forestry within a high-density city environment.
Discussions have been arranged between overseas speakers and more than 120 students in the disciplines of landscape architecture, arboriculture and horticulture on how to achieve the sustainable urban forestry within a high-density city environment.
Discussions have been arranged between overseas speakers and more than 120 students in the disciplines of landscape architecture, arboriculture and horticulture on how to achieve the sustainable urban forestry within a high-density city environment.
Colleagues of the Architectural Services Department and the conference speakers go to Kennedy Town for a field visit on the “Management of Stonewall Trees”.
Colleagues of the Architectural Services Department and the conference speakers go to Kennedy Town for a field visit on the “Management of Stonewall Trees”.
Colleagues of the Drainage Services Department brief the overseas experts on the Kai Tak River Improvement Works for their understanding of Hong Kong’s work on developing “Rivers in the City”.
Colleagues of the Drainage Services Department brief the overseas experts on the Kai Tak River Improvement Works for their understanding of Hong Kong’s work on developing “Rivers in the City”.
Overseas tree experts, local academics and industry practitioners go to the Victoria Park to understand our urban trees on site.
Overseas tree experts, local academics and industry practitioners go to the Victoria Park to understand our urban trees on site.
Overseas tree experts, local academics and industry practitioners go to the Victoria Park to understand our urban trees on site.
Overseas tree experts, local academics and other participants conduct a field session at the Victoria Park.
Overseas tree experts, local academics and other participants conduct a field session at the Victoria Park.

9 February, 2020

Back