Introduction
Led by Prof. TSOU Jin Yeu (Leader) and Prof. LU Yi (Deputy Leader), the Architecture and Urban Research Cluster was established to lead the transformation of these disciplines by integrating a forward-looking "design + design engineering" approach. Our mission extends beyond merely studying these challenges—we aim to develop innovative, actionable solutions that reshape the future of cities. Our vision is to become a global hub for advanced research that combines cutting-edge technologies with a deep humanistic perspective, fostering the creation of cities that are resilient, sustainable, intelligent, and genuinely inclusive.
Highlights in Research
Varying Relationships between Experienced Income Segregation and Travel Behaviour across Neighbourhood Social and Urban Contexts
Income segregation is a barrier to social inclusivity and equity. It is affected by individuals’ travel behavior and socioeconomic status and may be intensified by localized living models emphasizing conducting daily activities within immediate neighborhoods. However, how the relationship between experienced income segregation and travel behavior varies across neighborhood social and urban contexts remains unclear. In this study, the research team quantifies experienced income segregation using a dataset of 1.2 billion mobility records from the contiguous United States and examines its relationships with travel distance and diversity across neighborhoods with different social and urban contexts.
Ubiquitous Data-Driven Framework for Traffic Emission Estimation and Policy Evaluation
Quantifying urban traffic emission dynamics is critical for evaluating decarbonization policies, yet existing models often lack resolution, timeliness, or scalability. Ubiquitous urban data offer new opportunities for large-scale, finegrained, and near-real-time emission estimation. The research presents a data-driven framework that integrates traffic camera footage with mobile phone data to estimate citywide vehicular emissions.
Floating Feather Pavilion
The student team from ACE won the Second Prize and the Wind Art Award at the 7th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area · ASEAN International Colleges and Universities Construction Competition, with their work Floating Feather Pavilion. The competition had a theme on “Shadow Following the Wind”, requiring participants to imagine a wind-activated art installation built in the water of Haixinsha, Guangzhou, using raw bamboo as the primary material. The design requirements included: 1) Interactivity: Engage with the wind, showcasing the art of the wind through wind-driven design; 2) Feasibility: Minimize reliance on machinery, simplify construction, and ensure dimensions do not exceed 4×6 meters and 6 meters in height; 3) Sustainability: Ensure durability and minimal maintenance; 4) Material: Use raw bamboo as the main structure, supplemented by other easily sourced materials. The design of the Floating Feather Pavilion is inspired by the lightness and fluidity of bird feathers. The delicacy and elegance of the feathers perfectly symbolize the harmony between humans and nature. Utilizing the natural beauty and flexibility of bamboo, the design creates a bamboo structure that appears to float like a feather on the lake.
Representative Projects
Project title: Urban Greenness and Urban Residents’ Health: A Novel Method to Assess Street Greenery
Principal Investigator: Prof. LU Yi
Funding Support: Research Grant Council of Hong Kong, General Research Fund (GRF)
Funding Amount: HKD 0.7M
Project Abstract: This research project explores how greenery in urban areas, like parks and tree-lined streets, affects our health and daily lives. Using advanced technology, researchers developed a new way to measure the amount and quality of greenery from street-level photos, which helps understand its impact on health.
Project title: Understanding the Influence of Facade Rough Elements on Ventilation and Heat Removal in Urban Canyons
Principal Investigator: Prof. ZHENG Xing
Funding Support: Research Grant Council of Hong Kong, Early Career Scheme (ECS)
Funding Amount: HKD 0.5M
Project Abstract: This project will fundamentally investigate how façade roughness affects ventilation and heat removal in urban canyons. It will evaluate key factors, including the degree of façade roughness and the shift from wind-driven to combined wind- and buoyancy-driven flows. The work will measure air velocity and temperature in controlled experiments and develop validated numerical models to simulate complex realworld
scenarios.
Research Facilities
1. AI Fabrication Lab
Major Equipment List
At the heart of the lab are advanced printing technologies. These printers ensure the utmost clarity and precision, making them indispensable for professionals and students alike. The lab also boasts an array of cutting and machining tools for diverse fabrication needs. For woodworking and material preparation, the lab includes tools, ensuring versatility and efficiency in crafting models. From cutting and engraving to prototyping and finishing, the lab’s comprehensive suite of equipment empowers users to bring their architectural visions to life with professional-grade quality and detail.
2. Evidence-based Design & Urban Resilience Lab
Major Equipment List
-Piston Type Cylinder Regulator
-Zenmuse L2 + Matrice 400
-Modular Weather Stations
-Cylinder regulator
-Temperature / Humidity Meter ( Probe, Thermocouple Wire Type )
-Heat Stress WBGT Meter
-Multi-Channel Temperature Logger
-Multi-Channel Data Logger
-Hot Wire Anemometer
-Vane Type Anemometer
-IAQ Meter (TVOC, CO2, Formaldehyde, O3, Radon, Aerosol)
3. Systematic Urban Management Lab
Major Equipment List:
-DJI Matrice 350 RTK Drone
-UltiMaker S7 3D printing
-Vehicle-mounted mobile mapping modular with NovAtel SPAN GNSS/INS, or Insta360 Pro 2
-High-Performance workstations
4. Architecture Studio
Major Equipment List:
-3D Printers
-Foam cutters
-Photocopier/printer/scanner
-Computer workstations
-Acrylic bender
-Smart boards
5. Urban Design Lab
Research Cluster Member List
| Faculty Member | Position |
|---|---|
| Prof. TSOU Jin Yeu (Cluster Leader) |
Raymond Hu Professor of Architecture; Professor |
| Prof. LU Yi (Deputy Cluster Leader) |
Professor |
| Prof. LI Xin | Associate Professor |
| Prof. HU Songhua |
Assistant Professor |
| Prof. HU Yu | Assistant Professor |
| Prof. Paulina Maria NEISCH | Assistant Professor |
| Prof. WANG Qian-Cheng | Presidential Assistant Professor |
| Prof. ZHENG Hao | Assistant Professor |
| Prof. ZHENG Xing Janssen | Assistant Professor |
| Prof. TALAMINI Gianni | Adjunct Professor |