In collaboration with Arup’s Foresight Team, students participated in this transdisciplinary project to explore emerging issues shaping the future of Hong Kong. The project undertook original research to uncover youth perspectives on Hong Kong’s future while developing key skills in critical thinking and visual communication. Over 8 weeks, undergraduate students from across different disciplines:

• Attended interactive workshops by Arup’s Foresight team to learn futures thinking concepts and methodologies.
• Conducted desktop research in teams on social, technological, economic, environmental, and policy trends specific to Hong Kong.
• Developed a set of “Urban Futures” cards that communicated key insights and data on local issues.
• Presented research findings to Arup for professional feedback.

As an important deliverable, students produced cards that highlighted urban issues that Hong Kong will face in the future. Each card contains an issue title, a short description and an illustration. The issues are organized according to their primary area of influence across the STEEP framework: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, or Political. While each issue is assigned to one category, it will always have implications for all five. The cards are designed to develop your own activities in a myriad of contexts. These cards are available for download at: https://www.arup.com.hk/marketing/2024/Urban_Futures_Hong_Kong/index.html

Project Duration: 5 Oct 2023 – 22 Dec 2023

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the project coordinator Dr Jack Tsao (jtsao@hku.hk).