On September 24, Mr Chan Ka-kui, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) attended the Architectural Services Department’s Ground Breaking Ceremony of the “Disciplined Services Quarters for the Fire Services Department at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O”. He praised that this was the first pilot project using Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) in Hong Kong, turning a new page in the construction industry.
     The construction industry has been facing challenges against manpower shortage, rising construction costs, quality assurance. Mr Chan stated that, “The most fundamental work of CIC is to enhance the quality and the safety of the industry, which MiC can solve these problems.” He said. With the use of MiC, it is estimated that the number of workers can be reduced by 30% and the construction period can be reduced by at least four months. There are many successful MiC projects all over the world. 
     By adopting the concept of “factory assembly followed by on-site installation” and the mode of manufacturing, modular units are fabricated in factories and transported to construction sites for assembly and installation. This will not only expedite the construction progress, but also enhance the quality of construction as well as the safety and the environment of construction sites. Apart from MiC, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology also provides comprehensive and accurate design, mitigates occurrence of errors, pre-estimates resource, and improve cost management and effectiveness.
     Last year, CIC set up the Construction Innovation and Technology Application Centre (CITAC) to showcase different innovative products and projects so as to stimulate innovative thinking of the industry. With the aim to encourage wider adoption of innovative construction methods and new technologies in the construction industry, the HKSAR Government has set a HK$1 billion Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF). If industry stakeholders need to employ consulting engineers, purchase machines and components in relations to MiC, CITF would help fund the industry on a matching basis. Details of the CITF will be announced in early October.