The Decarbonising the Building Industry (DBI) 2024 Conference provided a vital platform to explore innovative strategies for achieving net-zero carbon buildings by 2050. Among the conference’s highlights was the keynote by Professor Wei Pan, Head of Civil Engineering at the University of Hong Kong and a pioneer in Modular Integrated Construction (MIC). Professor Pan’s presentation offered a detailed exploration of MIC’s role in decarbonising high-rise buildings and its potential to transform the construction industry.
Professor Wei Pan: Modular Integrated Construction for High-Rise Decarbonisation
Professor Pan began by framing the unique challenges and opportunities of decarbonising high-rise buildings, particularly in high-density urban areas like Hong Kong. With its towering skyline and limited land availability, Hong Kong serves as a global testbed for innovative construction methods. MIC, he explained, emerged as a solution to enhance productivity and competitiveness while addressing the environmental footprint of urban development.
Pan outlined the core principles of MIC, which integrates modular design, prefabrication, and on-site assembly to streamline construction processes. Unlike traditional methods, MIC significantly reduces waste, energy use, and embodied carbon emissions. For instance, modular projects in Hong Kong have demonstrated a 40% reduction in carbon emissions during the construction phase and a 31% reduction in embodied carbon when lifecycle analysis was integrated into the design process.
The keynote also showcased real-world applications of MIC, including Hong Kong’s large-scale residential projects. Pan highlighted the critical role of life cycle carbon assessments (LCCA), which guide material selection and optimise structural design for sustainability. By using advanced tools like Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, his team has developed a data-driven approach to measure, benchmark, and improve the carbon performance of high-rise buildings.
Despite these achievements, Pan acknowledged ongoing challenges, including the need for low-carbon structural materials and the complexities of decarbonising operational energy use. He urged the industry to adopt more robust policy frameworks, economic incentives, and technical innovations to fully realise MIC’s potential. Notably, Pan shared that MIC has transformed from a niche method into a mainstream solution, with over 120 projects completed or underway in Hong Kong.
A Vision for Sustainable Urban Development
Professor Pan’s keynote exemplified the innovative thinking necessary to decarbonise the building industry, particularly in dense urban contexts. His emphasis on data-driven decision-making and collaborative approaches aligns seamlessly with the mission of DBI2024. As MIC gains traction globally, it promises to not only reduce carbon emissions but also redefine how cities are built in an era of climate urgency.
The insights from Pan’s presentation underscore the conference’s overarching message: that the path to net-zero buildings requires leveraging cutting-edge technologies, fostering global collaboration, and reimagining traditional construction practices. With leaders like Professor Pan at the forefront, the DBI Network is poised to drive meaningful transformation in the building industry.
