2026 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning

Date: March 26-29, 2026 (Tentative)
Venue: The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR)

About the Conference

Addressing global climate change, promoting energy transition and green development, fostering sustainable use of natural resources, and achieving harmony between humanity and nature have become an international consensus. The high-quality development of green and low-carbon cities is a necessary response to the people's aspirations for a better life.

The 2026 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning will be held at The University of Hong Kong in March 2026, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Faculty of Architecture and the 45th anniversary of the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU.

This conference aims to provide an interactive platform for experts and scholars from a wide range of disciplines, including natural resource management, urban transformation and development, and architectural and cultural heritage conservation, to contribute to a shared future for humanity and strive for a harmonious and sustainable relationship between society and nature.

Conference Topics

Natural Resources, Urban Future, and Architectural Heritage

We invite submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

General Direction Issues	Key Contents	Sub-Topics
Resource Governance and Sustainable Future	Explore the governance models, practices, and cutting-edge challenges of resource management.	S1. Sustainable Resource Utilization and Governance S2. Resource Flow and Management S3. Resource Recycling and Environmental Engineering S4. Climate Resilience and Energy Transition S5. AI and Carbon Cycle
Technological Empowerment and Urban Development	Focusing on how new technologies drive cities to become more resilient, intelligent, and of higher quality.	S6. Remote Sensing GIS Technology and Future Cities S7. Resilient cities and spatial governance S8. Innovation in Urban and Regional Planning S9. Human settlements and high-quality development S10. Urban Renewal and Vibrant Cities
Architectural Context and Spatial Creation	Research on how to inherit cultural heritage and shape space through architectural design, cultural revitalization, and rural practices.	S11. Architectural Style and Urban Design S12. Industrial revival and historic districts S13. Integration of Culture and Tourism and Rural Revitalization S14. Public Art and Cultural City

Conference Committee

Academic Committee

Role	Name	Affiliation
Chair	Muhammad Qasim Jan	Foreign Member, CAS; Former President, Pakistan Academy of Sciences
Chair	Anthony G.O. Yeh	Member, CAS; Professor, Faculty of Architecture, HKU
Chair	Sommath Pholsena	Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos
Co-Chair (TBC)	Michael Batty	Foreign Member, CAS; Professor, University College London
Co-Chair (TBC)	Jin Duan	Member, CAS; Professor, Southeast University
Co-Chair	Peng Gong	Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, HKU
Member	Richard Church	Member, NAE; Researcher
Member	Guochun Zhao	Member, CAS; Chair Professor, HKU
Member	H.W. Lee	Fellow, RAE; President, MUST
Member	Jianbing Peng	Member, CAS; Professor, Chang'an University
Member	Lei Shen	Researcher, IGSNRR, CAS
Member	Yung Ho Chang	Pritzker Prize Juror; Dean, Faculty of Architecture, HKU
Member	Pietro Elisei	President, ISOCARP; Former President, ISOCARP
Member	Shenjing He	Fellow, AcSS (UK); Executive Director, USI, HKU
Member	Qiang Xu	Fellow, EAFJ; Chair Professor, SUSTech
Member	Yuanbin She	Member, EASA; Professor, ZJUT
Member	Zhizhong Li	Member, IAA
Member	Bo Huang	Chair Professor, Department of Geography, HKU
Member	Anrong Dang	Professor, Tsinghua University
Member	Renyi Liu	Professor, Zhejiang University
Member	Qingming Zhan	Professor, Wuhan University
Member	Philip Andrews-Speed	Fellow, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
Member	Alexander Dunets	Former Vice-Rector, Altai State University
Member	Daniel Beat Muller	Professor, NTNU
Member	Timon McPhearson	Director, Urban Systems Lab, The New School
Member	Andrew T. Black	Professor, University of British Columbia
Member	Ayman Elshkaki	Researcher, IGSNRR, CAS
Member	Keisuke Nansi	Director, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
Member	Saleem H. Ali	Chair, University of Delaware
Member	Tsun-huang Huang	Professor Emeritus, NTHU, Taiwan
Member	Bin Lyu	Professor, Peking University
Member	Tiemao Shi	Former President, Shenyang Jianzhu University
Member	Wenzhong Zhang	Vice President, UPSC
Member	Lanchun Bian	Professor, Tsinghua University (TBC)
Member	Zhendong Lei	Dean, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology
Member	Baozhang Chen	Professor, NUIST
Member	Desheng Hu	Professor, Chongqing University
Member	Chunyan Zhang	Party Secretary, Tianjin University (TBC)

Organizing Committee

Role	Name	Affiliation
Chair	Yung Ho Chang	Pritzker Prize Juror; Dean, Faculty of Architecture, HKU
Chair	Lei Shen	Researcher, IGSNRR, CAS; Chair, iAONR
Executive Chair	Shenjing He	Fellow, AcSS (UK); Head, DUPAD, HKU
Co-Chair	Baozhang Chen	Vice Chair, iAONR Executive Committee
Co-Chair	Bo Huang	Chair Professor, Department of Geography, HKU
Co-Chair	Xiujun Wang	Executive Director, Yuanye Cup Organizing Committee
Co-Chair	Associate Dean	Faculty of Architecture, HKU
Co-Chair	Head of Department	Department of Architecture, HKU

Conference Program (Tentative)

March 26 (Thursday)

Time	Activity
All Day	Pre-conference professional tours and exchange activities Hong Kong field study technical tours (Optional) Symposium with Hong Kong SAR planning and design professionals

March 27 (Friday)

Time	Activity
All Day	Participant Registration

March 28 (Saturday)

Time	Activity
Morning	Opening Ceremony & Keynote Speeches (4-5 Academicians)
Afternoon	Parallel Sessions, Forums, and Roundtables

March 29 (Sunday)

Time	Activity
Morning	Parallel Sessions, Forums
Afternoon	Master's Symposium and Dialogue
Evening	Closing Ceremony

Call for Papers

1. We sincerely invite researchers, designers, and administrators in fields such as natural resources, ecology, environment, GIS, urban and regional planning, and architectural design from all over the world to register for the conference.

2. All participants wishing to give a presentation must submit an abstract based on the conference topics. If not presenting, only registration information is required.

3. The conference will feature a "Young Scholar Award". Requirements are as follows:

(1) Submissions must be original, unpublished full papers (3000-4000 words) with an abstract (max 1000 words, including objectives, methods, results, and conclusions).
(2) Submissions must include the author's name, title, affiliation, research field, contact address, postal code, phone number, and E-mail.
(3) A panel of experts will review submissions and select First, Second, and Third Prizes, and Excellence Awards. Certificates will be presented at the conference.
(4) A selection of high-quality papers will be recommended for publication in international academic journals.
(5) Submit papers and abstracts online or via email: Website: www.iaonr.org/icnrp2026-callforpapers ; Email: icnrp2026@126.com .
(6) Submission deadline for papers and abstracts is January 30, 2026.

Conference Exhibition

During the conference, an "Architecture · Resources · Future" exhibition will be held, featuring two main sections:

1. HKU Faculty of Architecture Achievement Exhibition: Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Faculty and the 45th anniversary of the Department of Urban Planning and Design.
2. International Award-Winning Design Exhibition: Including works from the Yuanye Cup, ICNRP Exemplary Awards, and outstanding designer showcases.
3. Institutions and designers interested in participating in the international exhibition should contact the Yuanye Cup Urban Design Centre directly.

Registration & Tours

(I) Registration Fees

Category		Chinese Representatives (RMB)	International Representatives (USD)
Member Representatives	Official Member	2000 RMB	280 USD
	Council Member	1600 RMB	220 USD
	Student Member	1000 RMB	150 USD
Non-Member Representatives	Delegate	2800 RMB	390 USD
Non-Member Representatives	Student	1500 RMB	210 USD
Discounts: 1. Payment before December 30, 2025; 2. Group registration (3+ people) Notes: 1. Registration fee includes tea breaks, conference materials, etc. 2. "Member" refers to members of iAONR, Yuanye Cup, and co-organizing associations (e.g., International Designers Association). 3. Accommodation and transportation are not included. Note: Please present membership proof at check-in. Include "Annual Meeting + Name + Affiliation" in payment remarks.

(II) Membership Application

To join the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR), please visit www.iAONR.org to apply and receive your electronic membership ID. Email: info@iaonr.org.

(III) Fee Payment

1. International Representatives: Fees are collected by iAONR. Please use bank transfer (T/T) with the remark "Annual Meeting + Name + Affiliation". Online payment (TBD).

International Payment (PayPal)

2. Chinese Representatives (Mainland, HK, Macao, Taiwan): Fees are collected by Yuanye Cup Urban Design Centre. Please use bank transfer (T/T) with the remark "Annual Meeting + Name + Affiliation". Online payment (TBD).

开户名：北京园冶杯城市设计中心有限公司
开户银行：招商银行北三环支行
银行账号：110961584010001

/ China Domestic Payment (WeChat/Alipay)

(IV) Registration Method

1. Register individually via the official website (www.iAONR.org) or the Yuanye Cup (园冶杯组委会) WeChat account. Groups (3+) can register via the website.

2. Please specify if you require an electronic invoice. It will be sent after payment is received. No invoices will be processed after March 25, 2026. Please ensure your information is correct (2 changes allowed).

3. For cancellations, please apply through the registration system by 24:00 on March 25. Full refunds will be processed after the conference (within 30 working days). No refunds for cancellations after this deadline.

4. Accommodation and airport transfers are not provided. The organizing committee will provide a list of nearby hotels for reference.

(V) Field Tours and Technical Exchange Activities

The conference will organize optional field tours to classic Hong Kong projects and technical exchange activities with local design firms, designers, and professional associations.

These tours require separate registration and payment (details forthcoming), organized by the Yuanye Cup Urban Design Centre. Please submit your interest by January 25, 2026.

Organizing Institutions

Organizers

Joint Organizers

Co-organizers

Conference Venue

The University of Hong Kong

The conference will be held at the beautiful campus of The University of Hong Kong, one of Asia's top research universities, renowned for its academic excellence and scenic environment. Located in the Mid-Levels of Hong Kong Island, the campus overlooks the Victoria Harbour and is easily accessible with excellent surrounding facilities.

Address: The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR

We look forward to welcoming participants to experience Hong Kong's unique charm in addition to the academic exchanges.