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​​Arup Honoured with Multiple Awards at HKIE 50th Anniversary

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Arup, a global built environment consultant, has been recognised with eight awards at The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) 50th Anniversary Legacy Award, including five Grand Awards and three Merit Awards, honouring its continuous contributions to engineering, industry and society in Hong Kong and beyond.

“Since establishing our Hong Kong office in 1976, Arup has transformed the cityscape through our multidisciplinary expertise, from strategic planning and iconic buildings to critical infrastructure and cultural hubs. These accolades reaffirm our decades of commitment to advancing the city’s progress and contributing to its sustainable development,” said Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia.

Fire Engineering Approach for Large Spaces

Grand Award in Innovation category

In the early 2000s, Arup pioneered a revolutionary fire safety solution for large atria by combining long-throw sprinklers with infrared flame detectors. First implemented at Langham Place and the International Commerce Centre, this innovative approach transformed how architects and engineers address fire safety in expansive areas. The system’s success has enabled the creation of iconic spaces in Hong Kong, from shopping malls to airport terminals, while maintaining both aesthetics and functional integrity. It has also set a new standard for fire safety engineering in Hong Kong.

HSBC Data Centre

Grand Award in Industrial category

The HSBC Data Centre in Tseung Kwan O marked a milestone in Hong Kong’s digital infrastructure development. As Asia’s largest data centre when completed in 2008, it pioneered new standards in security, reliability, and sustainability. The facility processes transactions for HSBC operations across 30 countries, strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global financial hub. Its groundbreaking Tier III+ design, with capability for Tier IV upgrade, set new benchmarks for data centre development. The project’s innovative features, from advanced security systems to sustainable design elements, continue to influence data centre construction worldwide.

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Stonecutters Bridge

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

With the world’s tallest freestanding monopole towers and 1,018m cable-stayed span, Stonecutters Bridge stands as an icon of Hong Kong’s engineering excellence. Commissioned in 2009, it features unprecedented innovations, including the most extensive use of structural stainless-steel skin globally in the upper portion of the bridge towers. The bridge serves as a vital link in Route 8, connecting the bustling Kwai Chung Container Terminals to Hong Kong’s transport network. Its elegant design and technical innovations have earned numerous international awards, while its dramatic presence has become an exemplary showcase of Hong Kong’s world-class infrastructure.

Terminal 1, Hong Kong International Airport

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1 has revolutionised airport design with its iconic barrel-vaulted roof structure, creating one of the world’s most efficient and passenger-friendly airports. The innovative design features 129 parallel vaults spanning 36m each, creating vast column-free spaces flooded with natural light. Since its 1998 opening, the terminal has grown from handling 35 million to over 50 million passengers annually, showcasing its remarkable adaptability. The terminal’s enduring success and consistent ranking among the world’s best airports demonstrate how innovative engineering can create sustainable, efficient, and beautiful transportation hubs.

West Rail

Grand Award in Infrastructure category

The West Rail Line has enhanced connectivity in Hong Kong’s New Territories, with the Yuen Long Section standing as its most impressive achievement. This 7.6km section features Hong Kong’s most extensive elevated rail viaduct and three major stations. Its groundbreaking noise control system achieved an unprecedented 24dBA reduction, setting new global standards for urban railways. The project’s sophisticated integration of infrastructure with community needs, particularly at the 480m-long Tin Shui Wai Station, demonstrates how innovative engineering can enhance urban development while protecting community well-being.

Two other influential projects where Arup played a key role – Kai Tak Sports Park and the Hong Kong Section of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link – also received Grand Awards. Other winning projects include:

  • Admiralty Station extensionMerit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Hong Kong West Drainage TunnelMerit Award in Infrastructure category
  • Shenzhen Bay BridgeMerit Award in Infrastructure category

In addition, Ir Dr Andrew Chan, former Chair of Arup Group’s Trustee Board, was bestowed with the HKIE Honorary Fellow title for his remarkable contribution to the HKIE, engineering industry and society.

The HKIE 50th Anniversary Legacy Award is designed to celebrate outstanding engineering projects, groundbreaking technologies, and transformative initiatives that have made a lasting impact on the engineering landscape, industry and society of Hong Kong and across the globe over the past five decades.

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HKIE Launches its First-ever UNSDGs eBook

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The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) has launched an eBook, Engineered for Sustainability: Hong Kong’s Contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which introduces the Hong Kong engineering industry’s progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

 

The eBook showcases over 40 iconic engineering projects, corresponding to 17 UNSDGs, in both the public and private sectors in Hong Kong over the years and provides insights into their distinctive features and advanced technologies from engineers’ perspectives. Through this informative publication, the HKIE hopes to deepen understanding of UNSDGs in the industry and wider society and inspire collaborative efforts and active participation from all stakeholders to support sustainable development.

 

HKIE President Ir Eric MA said, “The UNSDGs aim to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. Engineering plays a major role in achieving many of the UNSDGs. Through the launch of Engineered for Sustainability: Hong Kong’s Contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, we hope to strengthen understanding among members of the public as well as within the engineering sector of how various engineering disciplines can integrate environmental, social and economic considerations into their practices. The engineering industry is in a unique position to lead sustainable development through actively collaborating across the aspects of engineering design, construction, renovation, operation and reuse, using electronic control systems, IoT, promoting new industrialisation, autonomous vehicle technology, sustainable energy systems, etc.”

 

“Last week, Vice President Ir Prof Frank CHAN led a delegation to the UN Climate Change Conference – COP29, where he shared the efforts taken by Hong Kong’s engineering industry to address the challenges of climate change, including strengthening the resilience and sustainability of urban infrastructure. The HKIE will continue to champion sustainable development, including continued updates of the eBook and encouraging industry sharing of sustainable projects, empowering engineers to put UNSDGs into practice as part of our commitment to building a better and more sustainable future for the planet,” President MA added.

 

The International Engineering Alliance (IEA) resolved the proposed changes of IEA Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies (GAPCs) to align with the UNSDGs in 2021. As a Member of IEA, the HKIE will review its Graduate Attributes for accrediting engineering programmes and its Competence Standards for admitting members to factor in the UNSDGs. The reviews are in the pipeline and the new HKIE Graduate Attributes and Competence Standards are planned for implementation in 2026/27.

 

In addition, the HKIE is currently holding a cover design competition for the publication, Engineered for Sustainability: Hong Kong’s Contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The competition aims to encourage members and the public to actively engage with the UNSDGs by participating in the creation of the eBook. The winning entry may become the cover of the future edition of this publication.

 

The deadline for submission is 5pm on 31 December 2024.

 

Click here for more information on the submission or click here to download the eBook.