Low Carbon-oriented Design: Principles and Practices (Sustainable Urban Design)

This book presents an innovative approach to sustainable urban design through the lens of low carbon-oriented design. It offers a comprehensive framework integrating four key paradigms: Design with Nature, Design with Human, Design with Clean Energy, and Design with Climate. By synthesizing ecological principles, human-centric approaches, renewable energy solutions, and climate-responsive strategies, the book provides practical manual for creating energy-efficient, environmentally harmonious buildings and cities.

The book stands out for its holistic perspective, bridging theoretical concepts with real-world applications through diverse case studies, particularly from rapidly developing Asian contexts. It addresses pressing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and urban livability by offering cutting-edge strategies for reducing carbon footprints in the built environment.

Ivan FU has been participating actively in various public platforms in Hong Kong and mainland China, including statutory bodies like Town Planning Board, Construction Industry Council, Urban Renewal Fund, Enhancing Self-Reliance Through District Partnership Programme and China Green Building Council. Ivan is particularly interested in conservation and sustainability in social and environmental sense. He has been involved in various forward-looking projects to address social needs and environmental issues. Among his acclaimed works, the Blue House clinched the highest recognition of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation with the Award of Excellence.

 

Sunnie Sing Yeung LAU is an Adjunct Associate Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, and a registered architect (HKIA/ARB HK, RIBA) specializing in urban regeneration strategies for high-density environments. Her academic work focuses on participatory design methodologies for smart sustainable cities, notably through the Kowloon East Inclusive Innovation & Growth Initiative (2013–2022), which integrated community engagement with post-industrial site revitalization. This research has been disseminated internationally via publications, public lectures and exhibitions. Her academic credentials include an M. Arch from MIT (2013), a B.A. in Architectural Studies from UC Berkeley (2007), and the Executive Education in Circular Economy strategies from the University of Cambridge (2021). With over 14 years of professional practice, she leads the Hong Kong-based SOSArchitecture Urban Design Studio, delivering projects that operationalize her research on smart inclusive neighbourhood developments.

 

ZHANG Jin  is a sustainability-focused urban planner and designer whose research and professional trajectory reflect a deep commitment to low-carbon design principles. After completing her distinguished education at the University of Hong Kong (Master of Urban Design-Distinction, 2021-2022), She has positioned herself at the intersection of urban sustainability and environmental responsibility. Her research explores various dimensions of urban sustainability, including waterfront vitality, through spatial configuration analysis.

 

MIAO Yijia is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, specializing in urban planning and design, renewable energy, green buildings, and sustainable design. Her research focuses on indoor thermal comfort and ventilation optimization, integrating computational modelling, field measurements, and environmental analysis to improve building performance in high-density urban environments.

 

Stephen Siu Yu Lau was born and raised in Hong Kong. Received education and professional training in Hong Kong and London, he has devoted thirty years plus in the education of architects and graduated (40+) Ph.D.’s in Hong Kong and Singapore―retired as a Professor of Architecture from the National University of Singapore recently. He has been an active researcher (H-Index: 41; Research gate 2025). He has been practicing as an architect, as well as an expert on sustainable design and certification, environmental technology―acoustics, daylighting, artificial lighting and carbon auditing. Together with the international pioneers, he has been an advocate of green building since the mid-late nineties. Today, he is an Honorary Professor and Distinguished Professor at a number of universities.