June 2026 | November 2025 | June 2025

Great cities are not just planned by experts—they are co-created with the people who call them home.

It is with profound honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I assume the role of President of HKIP.  Over three decades of service to the Institute, I have witnessed the transformative power of planning in shaping Hong Kong’s evolution.  Our members’ unwavering commitment to excellence has consistently reinforced that planners are not merely designers of spaces, but stewards of communities, bridges between policy and people, and facilitators of inclusive change.

In an era defined by intersecting crises - climate urgency, technological disruption, and societal inequity, the role of planners has never been more critical.  As HKIP embarks on this new chapter, we will lead with the following key imperatives:

• Elevating Professional Excellence: Advancing cutting-edge research, lifelong learning, and global best practices to equip our members for tomorrow’s challenges.

• Empowering Communities: Expanding public engagement, and education initiatives, ensuring planning reflects the diversity and aspirations.

• Championing Systemic Changes: Collaborating with governments, industries, and civil society to embed planning at the heart of Hong Kong’s resilience.

• Forging Global-Local Synergies: Strengthening partnerships with the Greater Bay Area and international networks to position Hong Kong as a nexus of innovation while remaining rooted in local needs.

I extend my sincere appreciation to the Immediate Past President, Ms. Amy Cheung, BBS, for her exceptional leadership, which has fortified HKIP’s influence and institutional legacy.  Her work exemplifies the integrity and vision that define our profession.

I would like to express my gratitude to our members, fellows, and partners for your continued support and dedication.  Your expertise and dedication are the bedrock of HKIP’s impact.  Let us together plan with the community, and to empower every stakeholder in shaping a built environment that embodies well-being, inclusiveness, livability, and resilience.

I invite you all to engage actively in this journey.  The future of Hong Kong is a canvas we will paint together.

Theresa Yeung, FHKIP, RPP
President, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners
June 2025

各位會員：

偉大城市的構建，既需專業規劃，更須與市民協同共創。

我非常榮幸接任香港規劃師學會會長一職，同時深感責任重大。三十餘年來，我親眼見證規劃專業如何成為推動香港發展的重要力量。會員們對卓越的堅持，充分展現規劃師不僅是空間設計者，更是社區守護者、政策與民意的橋樑，以及推動多元化與包容性的關鍵力量。

 在氣候變遷、科技創新與社會挑戰交織的當下，規劃師的角色尤為重要。值此學會邁入新篇章之際，我們將秉持以下核心方針，引領規劃專業與城市共創未來：

• 提升專業實力：推進前沿研究、持續進修與國際最佳實踐，助會員應對未來挑戰。

• 深化社區參與：擴大公眾參與及規劃教育，確保城市規劃反映多元需求與共同願景。

• 倡導結構性改革：與政府、業界及民間組織緊密合作，將規劃專業深度融入香港韌性發展的核心。

• 促進區域與國際協作：拓展粤港澳大灣區及國際合作，在紮根本地需求的基礎上，發展香港成為創新樞紐。

謹此衷心感謝上任會長張綺薇女士BBS的卓越領導，她鞏固了學會的影響力與專業傳承，並體現了規劃領域的專業操守與前瞻視野。

我亦想藉此感謝全體會員、規劃同仁及合作夥伴一直以來的支持和努力。你們的專業精神與熱忱，是學會持續發展的基石。讓我們與社區共同規劃，打造一個健康、包容、宜居且具韌性的城市。

誠摯邀請大家積極參與這趟旅程，攜手描繪香港美好未來的藍圖。

香港規劃師學會會長
楊詠珊  FHKIP, RPP
二零二五年六月

June 2026 | November 2025 | June 2025

The past few months have demonstrated the collective strength and dedication of our profession. As I look back on the past few months, HKIP has continued to make steady progress on several important fronts. Through policy engagement, professional exchange, and outreach to both young planners and long-standing members, we have strengthened our activities and reinforced the Institute’s role as a trusted and forward-looking force in shaping Hong Kong’s future.

During the past quarter, the Institute submitted its position paper on this year’s Policy Address, adding the profession’s perspective to Hong Kong’s future development. We also held a follow-up meeting on the streamlining of development-related procedures, continuing our efforts to contribute constructively to policy discussions and planning practice.

At the same time, we placed strong emphasis on nurturing the next generation of planners. Our participation in HKU’s Orientation Day, the Human Library Session of the Civic Exchange Young Environment Ambassador Programme, and other Young Planners’ activities reflect our ongoing commitment to inspire future leaders. Additionally, reactivating the Friends of HKIP provides an avenue to reconnect with long-standing supporters and broaden our reach.

One of the key highlights of the quarter was a brainstorming session that brought together members, academics and representatives from the public and private sectors to reflect on HKIP’s trajectory and set a practical roadmap for the future. The discussion produced a clear set of action items across four key areas:

• Advance sustainable and healthy membership growth.

• Enhance members’ skillsets through broader CPD programmes and training opportunities.

• Increase our visibility and publicity.

• Strengthen collaboration with other institutions.

These initiatives will guide our collective efforts as we continue to build a stronger and more connected professional community.

Externally, HKIP maintained a strong presence at major events in Chinese Mainland, within and beyond the region.

In late August, we participated in the Annual National Planning Conference, followed by the 8th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Planning Forum and the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development and Planning High-level Forum in September. These gatherings provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge, deepen cross-boundary collaboration, and position HKIP within a broader professional network as a leading voice. To further strengthen our partnerships,

we renewed our MoU with the Singapore Institute of Planners.

Earlier this month, HKIP led a 52-member HK delegation from both the public and private sectors to New York, where they participated in a series of insightful exchanges with the local planning community. These exchanges spanned urban and rural regeneration and strategies for a sustainable, green, and smart future. Hong Kong shared its innovative urban solutions for limited land and complex terrain, while New York highlighted its strengths in community engagement, social inclusion, and urban revitalization. Both sides candidly discussed shared challenges, with a deep dive into the Chinatown Connection Project and its balancing of economic development, cultural preservation, and community voices. The visit strengthened connections and laid the groundwork for closer collaboration between Hong Kong and New York.

In addition, we are also preparing to build new ties with planning associations in the Middle East, with a webinar series under development to explore regional planning practices and foster new dialogue.

Looking ahead, the Institute will concentrate its efforts on four major areas: healthy cities, climate change and nature-based solutions, urban regeneration, and industry development. Together, these directions will enable us to respond effectively to both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities, ensuring our continued impact.

As always, I would like to thank our members for your dedication and support. Every initiative we undertake is made possible by your contributions. As we enter the final quarter of the year, please mark your calendars for the HKIP Annual Dinner on 27 November 2025. I encourage all of you to stay engaged, share your perspectives, and join us in shaping the next chapter of our journey together.