I am a tenured associate professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Design at the University of Hong Kong. My research is dedicated to the study of high density cities, with particular focus on mitigating the urban heat island effect, reducing carbon emissions, traffic noise, and enhancing human comfort, health, and wellbeing. As the director of the Sustainable High Density Cities Lab, I lead an interdisciplinary research group that develops new theories, innovative thinking, and cutting-edge tools to achieve sustainable urban development. My research includes developing urban environment and energy simulation and optimization models, as well as studying human-built environment interactions using “urban new data” such as social media, POI, behavioral data, and wellbeing. My design software packages have been applied in real-world projects in Hong Kong, Singapore, mainland China, the US, and other countries.

I anchor my teaching in urban design studios, theories, technologies, and research methods. I am the director of the Master of Urban Design Programme at HKU, established in 1988 as the oldest programme of its kind in Asia. I am also a LEED accredited professional, a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, and a former board member of the International Association for China Planning. Prior to joining HKU, I worked as an urban designer at Sasaki Associates Inc., where I worked on numerous award-winning projects recognized by the Society of College and University Planning, International Downtown Association, the American Institute of Architects, and the Boston Society of Architects. My educational background includes a Doctor of Design from Harvard University, a Master in City Planning from MIT, and a Bachelor and Master in Architecture from Tsinghua University.