Sylvia He: Lessons from Hong Kong for the Future of Chinese Cities

The Century of Cities welcomes Sylvia He, Director of the Urban Studies Programme, and the MSc Programme in Sustainable Urban Planning, and Professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Sylvia explains how transport has defined the city's evolution, from the pioneering MTR model to the rise of EVs, cautious steps on micro-mobility, and new ambitions for drone-based "low-altitude economies." She shows how real-time data and smart city tools are reshaping planning in Hong Kong and asks what it will take for Chinese cities to remain livable, resilient, and attractive in the long run. She also shares insights from her book, Handbook on Transport in Asia, exploring how mobility systems, policy innovations, and transport equity are shaping the future of urban life across the region.