Luncheon Panel Discussion

Registration at 12:15 pm
Luncheon at 12:30 pm
Close at 2:15 pm

Natural disasters including weather, health and seismic events caused US$1.7 trillion in damages worldwide between 2000 and 2012. In a globalized world, only the most resilient cities capable of adapting continually to changing conditions will remain economically competitive and attractive for business growth. How are different cities preparing themselves against these risks? What are the key factors in building a resilient city to maintain social well-being and economic vitality? The discussion aims to provide a global perspective on building a resilient city in the face of these complex and constantly changing risks using Hong Kong, London and New York as examples.

PANELISTS
J. Robert Gibson is Adjunct Professor at the School of Energy and the Environment and the Sustainability Facilitator for City University of Hong Kong’s campus. His main focus area is the international cooperation on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions which is overseen by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and attended its meetings in Copenhagen, Cancun and Durban. From 2007 to 2010 he was Director Sustainable Development for John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd with a focus on climate change issues. He received his MA from Oxford University. (Moderator)

Robert Lane is Senior Fellow for Urban Design at the Regional Planning Association of America. An architect and urban planner, he directs their regional design program, improving the metropolitan landscape through research and place-based planning and design interventions. Mr Lane focuses on the relationship between transit, land use and urban design. Projects include the Newark Vision Plan and the Civic Alliance community design workshop for the re-building of Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks. Mr Lane was previously an associate at Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects. He graduated from Cornell University and Columbia University. 

Christine Loh is Under Secretary for the Environment with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Ms Loh was previously Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit public policy think tank Civic Exchange until she stepped down in 2012. Prior to founding Civic Exchange in 2000, Ms Loh spent nearly a decade as a politician and member of the Legislative Council. She has founded or served on boards of a wide range of non-governmental organizations on issues including environmental protection, urban planning and design, and equal opportunity. Ms Loh graduated from the University of Hull, UK, and the City University of Hong Kong.

Thomas Tang is the Director for Sustainability at AECOM Asia. He has 20 years of experience in environmental management and sustainability assessments specializing in climate strategy, stakeholder engagement and low carbon infrastructure design. He is responsible for providing corporate and client sustainability services to the Greater China, South and South East Asia regions in support of planning, water and urban design, transportation, energy and environmental services. He holds a doctorate in chemistry and an MBA.

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