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SCS visits Civil Engineering and Development Department (with photos)
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     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) this afternoon (July 18) to exchange views with staff representatives from various grades in the department, and to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety.
 
     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung first met with the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the directorate staff to learn about the key initiatives of the Civil Engineering Office, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) and the regional development offices. They also met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters of concern to them.
 
     Mrs Yeung said, "As the expectations of the community for the civil service are constantly rising and the challenges posed by extreme weather are becoming increasingly severe, I hope my colleagues will continue to strive for excellence, review workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and respond to changes with smart innovations. This will strengthen the public's sense of fulfilment, happiness and security."
 
     During the visit to the GEO Emergency Control Centre, officers in charge of the centre introduced the Common Operation Picture developed and managed by the department to Mrs Yeung. This electronic system facilitates the sharing of real-time information among different government departments to assist in monitoring emergencies such as landslides, flooding and fallen trees, as well as to enhance contingency co-ordination. The GEO maintains a 24-hour, year-round emergency service to provide geotechnical advice to rescue teams and government departments on any emergency actions to be taken to deal with danger arising from landslides for their determination of co-ordinated responses and mapping plans.
 
     Moreover, Mrs Yeung learned that the CEDD started a trial run of its in-house developed, AI-empowered Landslip Warning System this year, with an aim to issue more accurate Landslip Warnings. Through the cloud technology and the Internet of Things, the system can use Hong Kong's rainfall data, past landslide records and man-made slopes data to identify with higher accuracy the relevant attributes resulting in landslides through big data analysis. This strengthens the understanding of the relationship between rainfall and landslides. The new system can further enhance the accuracy of the predicted number of reported landslides during heavy rainstorms, thereby improving the capabilities of landslide risk assessment, optimising the issuance of Landslip Warnings, and enhancing early warning.
 
     Officers responsible for planning and terrain evaluation also briefed Mrs Yeung on the Digital Aerial Photograph Interpretation System launched last year. The system digitalises historical paper aerial photographs and centralises aerial photo imageries on an instantly accessible digital platform. This not only allows government departments and related organisations to remotely search, view and analyse high-resolution 3D data, but also empowers professionals to map and visualise 3D terrains to support related research for slope safety management and land planning. The system also eliminates the process of physical photo storage and helps shorten construction time, reduce construction costs, and promote environmental efficiency.
 
     In addition, the department's staff introduced their approaches for enhancing the speed and efficiency to assist in promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis. The Northern Metropolis is located in a geologically complex area with very limited engineering geological data. In order to speed up development and minimise the ground investigation work required across different projects, the GEO initiated a regional ground investigation study in the Northwest New Territories, carrying out ground drilling and rock load tests in strategic areas.
 
Ends/Friday, July 18, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:43
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The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows Mrs Yeung (third right), accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (second right), meeting with the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (third left), and the directorate staff to learn about the key initiatives of the Civil Engineering Office, the Geotechnical Engineering Office and the regional development offices.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows Mrs Yeung (second left) being briefed by the Head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office, Dr Raymond Cheung (first right), on the in-house developed, AI-empowered Landslip Warning System on trial run this year. Looking on are the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (third left), and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (first left).
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows Mrs Yeung (third right) being briefed on the Digital Aerial Photograph Interpretation System. The system not only allows government departments and related organisations to remotely search, view and analyse high-resolution 3D data, but also empowers professionals to map and visualise 3D terrains. Looking on are the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (first right), and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (fourth right).
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows Mrs Yeung (front row, second right) being briefed by staff on a ground investigation study in the Northwest New Territories initiated by the Geotechnical Engineering Office, enhancing the speed and efficiency to assist in promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis. Looking on are the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (front row, first right), and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (front row, centre).
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows CEDD Mines Division staff introducing to Mrs Yeung (first left) the work of monitoring explosives and blasting, including the use of aerial shell in fireworks displays. Looking on are the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (second right), and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (second left).
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department this afternoon (July 18) to learn about the department's latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety. Photo shows Mrs Yeung (front row, centre); the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung (front row, third left); and the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong (front row, third right), with staff representatives from various grades in the department.