Game changers

Ho's input into the Hong Kong design landscape extends beyond his work with Arup. He is co-chair of the Education and Continuing Professional Development Committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects Hong Kong Chapter, a council member at the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design, and an academic with ties to some of the city's leading universities. Ho predicts that change is afoot in the local design world as the city works to become "greener, softer, more human-focused".

"Hong Kong is a super-high-density, high-rise waterfront city with very efficient public transport and connectivity," says Ho. The city's compactness and density create areas of concern that urban designers like him are trying to address. "Ultimately, we need to create much better green, open spaces and streets, bring nature back into our urban fabric to enhance biodiversity, make our waterfront and natural surroundings more accessible, provide amenities that encourage community engagement, and utilize natural resources to temper our environment and encourage circularity - thereby creating a more-livable environment and better well-being for all."