Moderator Speaker

Mr. Eli Konvitz

Vice-Chair ULI Hong Kong

Eli is an expert in sustainable urban development. His experience around the globe includes plans and initiatives for new and revitalised places, large-scale urbanisation and regional strategies, climate change strategy and policy, masterplanning for transit oriented development, reclamation and waterfront development, industry, tourism and leisure projects, and pioneering creation of a mechanism in the UK for low-carbon retrofit of existing buildings. He is currently a senior advisor and independent consultant on sustainability, urban innovation and development, adjunct associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, and a member of the Advisory Board of AMRACE (Advanced Manufacturing Robotics Accelerator Centre of Excellence) in Malaysia. Between 2013 and 2022 Eli was Director of Atkins' Planning and Urban Design practice in Hong Kong and South East Asia and Net Zero leader for Asia; Regional Practice Lead for Consulting, Strategy and Advisory; and chair of Atkins' Urban Planning Global Network. Prior to joining Atkins, Eli was at Arup in London and co-founder of startup localCarbon. Eli is vice-chair of ULI Hong Kong and member-at-large of the ULI Asia Pacific Executive Committee, a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design’s Council and public affairs and international and mainland affairs committees, and was previously chair of the International Infrastructure Forum's net zero working group at the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. A graduate of The Johns Hopkins University and the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Eli is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts.

Speaking at

Wed 23 Oct 4:30 PM — 5:00 PM (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Setting the Scene: Asia’s World City

Mr. Eli Konvitz, ULI Hong Kong

Mr. Jonathan Cummings, Landor Associates

Ms. Susheela Rivers, DLA Piper

Mr. Jeremy Sheldon, JLL

How did Hong Kong become "Asia's World City"? The fascinating backstory takes us back to the early 2000s, a time when Hong Kong was grappling with the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis and the uncertainties of the post-handover era. It was during this period that a team of branding experts and government officials set out to redefine Brand Hong Kong. Through the Asia's World City brand, they aimed to capture the essence of Hong Kong – a place where the old and the new, the local and the global, coexist in a delicate balance, creating a unique and irresistible draw for businesses, investors, and visitors alike. It was a bold and strategic move that has helped to cement Hong Kong's reputation as one of the most vibrant and influential cities in Asia and the world. Hear from one of the original progenitors and other branding experts to discuss the genesis of Asia's World City, its relevance to today and how it can be revitalised for the future.

Wed 23 Oct 4:15 PM — 4:30 PM (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Introducing ‘Art in Place’, UrbanPlan and Activating Underutilised Urban Open Spaces for Sustainability – A Bank of America Charitable Foundation Grant Project

Ms. Connie Cheng, Urban Land Institute

Mr. Eli Konvitz, ULI Hong Kong

Ms. Tatum Lau, The Oval Partnership, Ltd.