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CENTRE FOR ASIAN TALL BUILDINGS
AND URBAN HABITAT
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Introduction
The Centre for Asian Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CATBUH) was established in 1997 as the culmination of several years'
preparatory work by a local committee with membership drawn from professional, academic and industry circles.
The establishment of the Centre, in the Department of Civil
Engineering at The University of Hong Kong,
is a response to the rapid rate of growth throughout Asia which reflects
population pressures and economic development. This growth has led
to land use policies and patterns of development which accommodate increasing
numbers of tall buildings for residential, commercial and other uses.
The Centre will actively address the concerns which
result from rapid growth by providing for and supporting studies, research
and teaching, conferences and seminars, information collection and exchange,
and the establishment of working groups and consultancies. The intention
is to adopt a broadly multi-disciplinary approach towards the wide ranging
technological, social economic, environmental and cultural issues involved.
Areas of interest include building design and construction, urban infrastructure,
transportation, land use and the environment, all in the context of the
wider goal of sustainable development. The Centre will draw on this
knowledge and expertise, and will serve all those involved in the creation
and management of the urban habitat including architects, engineers, planners,
surveyors, social scientists and environmentalists.
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Background
The establishment of the Centre comes after more
than two decades of active Asian participation in research and development
concerning tall buildings and urban habitat. Hong Kong, with key
participation by the University's Department of Civil Engineering, led the
way in 1972 when it hosted a major conference for the Council on Tall Buildings
and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) .
Since 1973 there have been 19 such conferences in Asia: five in Hong Kong,
including the Council’s World Congress in 1990, five in China, four in
Kuala Lumpur, three in Singapore and one each in Bangkok and Jakarta.
Members in Hong Kong who had a role in the World
Congress now form the nucleus of the 'Industry' members of the Management
Committee.
There is now special emphasis on all aspects of
the urban habitat, including concern about the urban environment and about
the impact of technology on society and urban development. This requires
systematic study of the whole problem of providing adequate space for living
and working, taking account not only of technological factors but of social
and cultural aspects as well. The Centre will essentially follow
the Council's established pattern of bringing together all the disciplines
involved in urban settlement issues and focus on them in the Asian context,
particularly as regards the role of tall buildings in the urban environment.
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Needs
The need for a continuing dialogue regarding tall
buildings in the Asian habitat stems from the following factors:
- A rapidly growing urban population which is
creating increased demand for tall buildings in urban habitats
- The consequential requirement for economy in
construction
- Frequent neglect of human factors in urban
design at the expense of quality of life
- The need to establish priorities for new research
in the field
- The need to make new information on high-rise buildings and urban habitat development available to professionals
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Objectives
The objectives of the Centre are as follows:
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To provide a focus for research into the planning and development of the
urban habitat, with particular reference to tall buildings, sustainable
development and densely populated areas in Asia
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To conduct symposia and organise conferences and publish their proceedings
as appropriate
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To stimulate international contacts, particularly within the Asian
region, for example between scholars and others working in the same disciplines
but in different geographical locations
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To encourage work of an interdisciplinary nature by bringing academics
from different departments and professionals from industry together for
research and discussion of topics related to tall buildings and the urban
habitat in Asia
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To house a library of relevant publications and data bases
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To maintain close relations with the relevant departments of central
and regional governments and provide local support, where appropriate,
for conferences, exhibitions, seminars, congresses and similar events held
jointly with them
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Centre Activities
Conferences :
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Seventh International Conference on Tall Buildings,
October 29 - 30, 2009, Hong Kong, China
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Sixth International Conference on Tall Buildings,
December 12 - 14, 2005, Hong Kong, China
Symposium on Tall Building Design and Construction Technology,
June 2 - 4, 1999, Beijing, China
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Fifth International Conference on Tall Buildings, December 9 - 11, 1998, Hong Kong, China
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Inaugural Conference - Asian Urban Habitats - 21st Century Trend, October 23, 1997, Hong Kong, China
Seminars :
- Human Structure Interaction in Moderately Flexible Structures by Professor John Dougill, King's College and Imperial College, UK, October 23, 2006
- A Code of Practice for Highway Structures - An Asset Management Approach by Dick Feast, Amey Infrastructure Services, October 26, 2005.
- Water Mains Rehabilitation in Hong Kong by Mr. Ian Vickridge, Black and Veatch Hong Kong Limited, September 6, 2005.
- Concrete-Filled Tubular Columns by Professor Xiao-Ling Zhao, Monash University, Australia, June 28, 2005
- Forensic Project Management: An Exploratory Examination of the Causal Behaviour of Design Induced Rework by Professor Peter Love, Edith Cowan University and Curtin University of Technology, Australia, May 23, 2005
- Sustainable Building Design and Planning by Dr. Raymond Yau, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited, March 2, 2005.
- How Structure can Enrich Architecture by Dr. Andrew Charleson, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, November 22, 2004.
- The Use of Trenchless Technology for the Improvement of Urban Habitats by Mr. Ian Vickridge, Ivy Associates Ltd., June 12, 2003.
- Planning and Management of High Density Urban Development by Professor Anthony Yeh, Centre of
Urban Planning and Environmental Management, The University of Hong Kong, Feburary 26, 2003
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Alliance and Performance-based Contracting in the Building and Construction Industries
by Dr. Ali Ja'afari, The University of Sydney, Australia, November 21, 2000
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Public Housing 2010 - The Genesis of Change by Mr. Raymond Bates,
Hong Kong Housing Authority,
HKSAR, Hong Kong, May 22, 2000
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Overview of Tall Building Design in Hong Kong and China by Mr. Michael
Kwok and Dr. Craig Gibbons, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited,
Hong Kong, March 31, 2000
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Integration of Building Services with Building Design and Fire Safety in
Tall Buildings by Mr. K.F. Lau, Architectural Services Department,
HKSAR, Hong Kong, October 27, 1999
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Photovoltaics - Hong Kong's Renewable Energy Source? by HKU PV Research Group
– Mr. Edward Lo, Ms. Josie Close, Mr. Lam King Hang and Mr. Huey Pang,
March 30, 1999
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Do you Design the Future or does the Future Design you? by Professor Stephen
Valentine, School of Architecture, Pratt Institute, U.S.A., February
24, 1999
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The Petronas Towers: A Cultural Case Study by Mr. Fred W. Clarke,
Principal, Cesar Pelli & Associates, U.S.A., December 12, 1998
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Urban Transport - Economic Progress or Environmental Disaster? by
Professor
John Black, University of New South Wales,
Australia, November 11, 1998
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Fire Safety on Tall Buildings by Mr. Peter Bressington, Associate
Director, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Limited,
May 4, 1998
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Metroplan and Changes in the City 1986 - 1996 by Mr. John Hyslop,
Director, Urban Connections Limited, February 14, 1998
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Membership
Membership to the Centre is free. Other categories of membership
are likely to include, for example, Fellows, Honorary Fellows, Research
Associates, who will be involved in Centre projects and Visiting Scholars
who will come to the Centre for various activities from time to time.
Members will receive the Centre Newsletter and be invited to Centre organised
seminars, lectures and other activities. If you would like to join,
please complete the registration form. (Registration
form)
Contact us
CATBUH
c/o Department of Civil Engineering
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road
Hong Kong
Tel (852) 2859 8024
Fax (852) 2559 5337
Email: catbuh@hku.hk