Building Surveyor's Conference 2010 Owing to Typhoon Megi, our conference was deferred from 23 October to 30 October. More than 200 members attended. The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered her keynote speech. We were pleased to note that the Buildings Department would launch a signboard control system soon in order to enhance public safety. In fact, we have boosted our suggestion on Control of Signboard in public safety perspective for years and recently in the Institute's proposal on suggested topics to be included in this year's Policy Address. Moreover, Mrs Lam mentioned that all Unauthorized Building Works would become actionable. The Buildings Department would be empowered to apply for a court warrant to enter private premises to investigate, inspection and repair works. Furthermore, the Building Ordinance would impose 20% punitive surcharge on owners who failed to comply with statutory orders or notices and require the Buildings Department to arrange the works and impose criminal charge on owners who refuse to share the OCs' costs of works for complying with statutory orders or notices regarding common areas. Last but not least, the Development Bureau has been studying full set of measures to tackle water seepage problems in multi-owned buildings. The BSD is actively considering participation in this aspect. Mr Jacky Ip from the Hong Kong Housing Society briefed us on the proposed Voluntary Building Assessment Scheme (VBAS). Fellow surveyors should notice that one-day coaching is required before acquiring the qualification as a VBAS Assessor. Mr George Hongchoy of the Link Management Ltd. shared with us a lot of marketing strategies and life cycle analysis in their shopping arcade and market renovation projects such as successful cases in Lok Fu Shopping Arcade and Taipo Market. Before delivery of Mr Francis Leung's presentation, Building Information Modelling (BIM) is almost new to me. Now I understand that BIM is a useful tool in new projects which can take care of area measurement, assist in statutory compliance checking and make way for future facilities management although teething problem need to be sorted out before BIM can widely be utilized in existing buildings. Mr Victor Lui shared with us his interesting experience in setting up new system of facilities management in mainland. Members should note that copy of successful models from Hong Kong may not always work in mainland. We should try to make use of the resources from others or create resources ourselves. Maintaining our competitive edge is very important but recognition should not be neglected. Right after lunch, our Vice Chairman, Mr Vincent Ho, summarized our publications issued in recent years, announced publications being prepared and reminded members about our continuous efforts in striving for the leading role in our professional area through these publications. Owing to Typhoon Megi, Mr Lau Wai Tat could not attend our deferred Conference and his presentation was therefore delivered by me. The current maintenance management system for hospitals and clinics under the Hospital Authority was illustrated with an analysis on the degree of participation by professional building surveyors. Shortcomings and crisis being faced by Building Surveyors were also shared. I was pleased to note that examples quoted in the presentation aroused the attention of fellow building surveyors from all sectors. Our last speaker in the Conference, Mr Hiersemenzel, told us the essential elements in surveying and maintenance of curtain wall system which was highly informative. I believe members who attended the Conference would agree that the Conference provided a platform for members to acquire new knowledge and exchange views. I look forward to having our Silver Anniversary of Building Surveyor's Conference next year. Hong Kong BEAM Assessment Tools The Government has recently announced measures to tackle inflated flats. One of the prerequisites for the Building Authority to grant concession for environmental elements in new buildings is to obtain Hong Kong BEAM accreditation. If you have no idea on what Hong Kong BEAM accreditation is, you can visit the website of Hong Kong BEAM Society through the following link: http://www. hk-beam.org.hk. It is the local version of environmental assessment system comparable to the internationally recognized environmental assessment system like the LEED Green Building Certification System developed by the US Green Building Council. Members are encouraged to obtain BEAM Professional status by attending the training course so that you can make yourself acquainting with the latest BEAM Assessment Tools before taking the required examination. Quite a number of BSD Council Members have already obtained BEAM Professional status and I look forward to seeing more members to become BEAM Assessors. 2010 China Shanghai International Project Management Conference - Construction Management & The Future of Urban Development The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors co-organized the Conference with Shanghai counterparts, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. Our Senior Vice President, Mr Wong Bay, joined the Organizing Committee while Mr Billy Wong and Mr Edgar Li joined hands with Ms Iris Lee of the QSD to support Mr Wong. Mr Daniel Lam and Mr Albert Cheung represented the HKIS to deliver their speeches. I led five delegates including Mr Alex Wong, Mr Robin Leung, Mr Vincent Ho, Mr Nathan Lee and Mr Arthur Cheung to attend the two-day Conference on 4 and 5 November 2010. Mr Samson Wong of the Project Management Committee, Mr Stephen Lai and Mr Spencer Kwan of the QSD also attended the Conference. In the evening of 5 November, we all joined the gathering of members in Shanghai Forum. Although most members working in Shanghai were QSs and GPs, we met a lot of our old friends and we all received warm reception from members of Shanghai Forum. I must take this opportunity to thank the convenor of Shanghai Forum, Ms Iris Lee. In the morning of 6 November, BSD delegates from Hong Kong were received by our Shanghai CAEC counterparts to visit the site of Bai Yu Lan Plaza. During the site visit, temperature difference in Shanghai made steel members unstable. Members may wish to note the following paragraphs in Chinese about our observations and our connection with Tongji University.