Page 19 - Urban Renewal Authority 2023-24 Annual Report

To address the issue of ageing buildings, our Building Rehabilitation Division conducted a series of visual Chairman’s Statement
Chairman’s Statement
inspections of the interior and exterior common areas in approximately 10,000 buildings that are over 30 years
old across Hong Kong. Staircases, corridors, rooftops and external walls were all examined and checked for
concrete spalling, cracks and unauthorised building structures, among other potential problems. The data
collected was subsequently inputted into the URIS for in-depth analysis of rehabilitation needs.
New applications under URIS are developed to collect data for projecting the condition and degree of
deterioration of buildings in different districts. Combined with the URA’s database, the system categorises all
buildings in Hong Kong into different groups according to their management models, receipt of building Managing Director’s Statement
inspection or repair orders, and history of building rehabilitation works. This allows us to assess each building’s
Rehabilitation Tendency and Rehabilitation Need. Through big data analytics, we are able to formulate more
comprehensive programmes to promote building maintenance and repairs of targeted categories of buildings,
and long-term strategies to prompt building owners to take up building rehabilitation and preventive
maintenance, ultimately slowing down the ageing of buildings. I am delighted to note here that the URIS
Managing Director’s Statement
received the Winner of Research and Innovation award in the Building Surveyor Awards 2023 by the Hong Kong
Institute of Surveyors, a firm endorsement of our innovative approach to urban renewal.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has also been leveraged to improve work efficiency and service quality. Applying AI in urban
renewal work, such as data and image analysis and speech-to-text conversion, allows us to expedite the processing of
acquisition and compensation, building rehabilitation subsidy applications and general enquiries. As the scale and Operating Review
complexity of urban renewal works are expected to grow substantially in future, we are studying and piloting AI
applications that automate business flow, accelerate work progress, improve accuracy and analytical power, and
Operating Review
enhance data computation to support our decision-making and formulation of optimal solutions. With the application
of AI, the URA can better cope with future challenges brought about by changes in the economic environment. Corporate Sustainability

Corporate Sustainability
Paying a visit to an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology company
in Science Park with URA management and colleagues, and
discussing the potential applications of AI in urban renewal work
to address aggravating urban degeneration with more effective
solutions.

Change for Good, Prepared for the Future, United in Building a More Colourful City
In the past year, the URA encountered both challenges and opportunities. Our team overcame each challenge Management Discussion and Analysis
with determination, adopting new mindsets that helped us achieve breakthroughs, hurdle obstacles and chart
new directions in urban renewal. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our team for their hard work and to the
Chairman and Board members for their guidance and support of our innovative spirit.
Urban renewal is an evolving process. Despite fluctuations in the economic landscape, the URA team is well-
prepared to tackle challenges and capitalise on opportunities. Looking ahead, we will continue to adopt
Management Discussion and Analysis
innovative ideas to enhance the effectiveness of our urban renewal work and the benefits it brings to the
community.
Nevertheless, for long-term sustainability in urban renewal, the involvement of the Government, business sector
and the public is indispensable. To accelerate the pace of urban renewal, the Government should consider
loosening the regulatory framework and offering incentives to encourage market participation. In the meantime, Projects at a Glance
it is also necessary to strengthen statutory requirements so that property owners are prompted to proactively
fulfil their responsibilities in maintaining their buildings in good condition, thus slowing down the ageing process.
Only when we have more proactive participation from the private sector and property owners to combat urban
Projects at a Glance
decay, can we make steady progress towards the sustainable urban renewal of Hong Kong.

Ir WAI Chi-sing, GBS, JP, FHKEng
Managing Director
31 July 2024 Corporate Governance

URA ANNUAL REPORT 2023-24 17
Corporate Governance