Supported by China Committee, Construction Industry Group, Environment and Energy Committee, Future Leaders Committee, and Real Estate Committee
Please note the new date of this event is Thursday 16th January, 2020.
Speakers:
Benjamin Pettit, Business Technical Consultant, Building Research Establishment (BRE)
Colin Ward, Senior Partner, Foster and Partners
Eli Konvitz, Director, Urban Development & Design, South East Asia Atkins
Grace Kwok, Executive Director, Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group
Steve Lewis, Director, KPMG Infrastructure Advisory
When considering the influences and contributors to a livable city, nothing is binary, but there are a number of relatively small actions that could have a dramatic impact. In this session our panel will look at the ecosystem of a livable city and assess Hong Kong’s potential in increasing its livability. The panel will offer their insights particularly in the aviation, rail and social infrastructure sectors, as well as sustainability and urban planning.
About the speakers
Benjamin Pettit is the Business Technical Consultant of BRE, responsible for advancing sustainability best practice Southern China Region. Having a background in the renewable energy and environmental services industry, Benjamin joined BRE UK in 2016 where he focussed on the strategic research, development and update of the BREEAM family of standards. In 2017 Benjamin was seconded to BRE’s China operation where he undertakes his present role supporting local industry, government and academia through collaborative research projects, educational programmes, and application of international sustainability best practice, such as BREEAM and CEEQUAL.
Colin Ward received a BA (Hons) in Architecture from the University of Manchester, School of Architecture in 1985, and went on to gain a Bachelor of Architecture from the same school in 1988, becoming a registered architect in the UK in 1990.
In late 1990 he took an extended sabbatical, travelling widely in Asia, and north America, and after a brief return to the UK moved to Hong Kong where he joined Foster + Partners in 1994 to work on the new airport at Chek Lap Kok. Having seen the completion of the airport he returned to work in the London studio in 1998, and worked on the design and development of a number of projects in London and Europe, before jointly overseeing the design and construction of the new National Stadium at Wembley from 2001 to 2006.
He was made a Senior Partner of Foster + Partners in 2018, and has subsequently been responsible for the winning competition entries for the South Beach development in Singapore and the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong amongst others. Current projects also include new First Class lounges for premium travellers for Cathay Pacific airlines, the refurbishment of the HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong, a new luxury hotel in Central Hong Kong and the realisation of a 450,000sqm sustainable mixed-use development in Wuhan in China, which includes a revolutionary urban realm of street retail as well as a retail mall and a 330m high office tower and hotel.
In addition to these projects he regularly speaks at seminars and reviews. Recently these have included the South China Morning Post, ‘Redefining Hong Kong’ debate, a Harvard Graduate School of Design forum and other reviews and talks at Hong Kong University, Chinese University Hong Kong, Manchester University in the UK and SCAD in Hong Kong.
Eli Konvitz is an urbanist with expertise in strategy and masterplanning; sustainability, resilience, and cities; and policy and research. He has carried out urban development, advisory, and infrastructure projects in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America for clients across the public, private, and third sectors.
Projects Eli is currently leading include plans and initiatives for new development and regeneration, large-scale urbanisation, transit-oriented development, reclamation and waterfront development, industry, and tourism and leisure strategy, with an emphasis on early-stage advice and multidisciplinary strategies for long-term success. Previous work includes climate change strategy and policy, regional strategies, urban integration of transport infrastructure, and pioneering creation of a mechanism in the UK for low-carbon retrofit of existing buildings.
A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, Eli has lived on three continents.
Ms Grace Kwok is the Chairman and Executive Director of Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited (“AEC Group”; stock code: 8320.HK). She has 20 years’ experience in working as an acoustics, environmental and sustainability consultant. She specializes in environmental impact assessment and built environmental studies for sustainable building design. As a member of USGBC Faculty, HKGBC Green Building Faculty and BEAM Expert Panel with qualifications including BEAM Pro, LEED Fellow, BREEAM AP, BREEAM In-use Assessor and GBL Manager, she has the privilege to work on the earliest batch of BEAM, BREEAM, LEED and China Green Building Label certified building projects in Hong Kong. Other than being a green building expert, Grace is also an experienced acoustician and a GRI G4 Certified Sustainability Practitioner providing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting and consultancy services to listed companies.
Grace is a fellow member and Immediate Past Chairman of the Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics. She has also served HKGBC’s various standing committees, such as Communications & Membership Committee and Green Labelling Committee. She is an advisor of LEED Data Centers Advisory (China) Committee, a founding fellow serving on the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals as well as a member of the Noise Control Appeal Board Panel. Currently, she is the Chairman in Environment and Sustainability Committee of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao-Bay Area Economic and Trade Association. She also acts as a Co-Chair of Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association Environmental Sustainability Working Committee.
Steve Lewis is a chartered surveyor and consultant with experience of working with major organisations at a strategic, programme and project level in both the private & public sectors.
Steve has is experienced in delivering and advising on a range of fast moving and complex projects in various roles spanning the asset lifecycle. He has extensive experience as a lead adviser on a large range of infrastructure and other built asset programmes, particularly in the aviation, rail and social infrastructure sectors.
Steve’s advice to Government, quasi-government bodies and corporations includes advice in respect of: infrastructure project development and financing including Public Private Partnerships, asset management, risk management, organisational structure design, PMO models, commercial strategy, procurement and contract strategy.
This event is hosted by Andrew Seaton.
Ticket includes a full hot English breakfast buffet.
Please note that Business Attire is required by the Hong Kong Club - collared shirts must be worn by men, and jeans, sandals and sports shoes are not permitted. To see the full list of club rules on dresscode, please click here.
Pricing
- Member: HK$ 440
- Non-Member: HK$ 560
- Y-Network Member: HK$ 340
- Start-up Member: HK$ 340
Terms & Conditions
- Reservations in advance are required. Please consider your booking confirmed unless notified otherwise.
- Business Attire is required by the Hong Kong Club. No jeans or sports shoes.
- Cancellations must be made in writing 24 hours prior to the event. No shows will be charged.
- This event is closed to the media.
- The event will be cancelled if the No.8 Typhoon signal or the Black Rain Storm warning is in force.
- By attending this event, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed and give permission to use your likeness in promotional and/or marketing materials.
- For further information please email [email protected]
- All payments for this event need to be settled by credit card through PayPal. Please note you do not need a PayPal account to complete payment.