Shaping a Sustainable Future: Insights into Advancing the Built Environment

On 18 March, 2025, Prof. Jung-Eun Chu, Assistant Professor of The School of Energy and Environment (SEE), invited Mr. Jasper Hilkhuijsen, East Asia Senior Innovation and Sustainable Development Manager at Arup, a globally renowned company with a collective of designers, engineers, and sustainability consultants dedicated to shaping a better world, to deliver an inspiring talk titled “Driving Sustainability in the Built Environment”.

During the talk, Mr. Hilkhuijsen shared his personal journey in the field of sustainable development, highlighting key projects that have shaped his career. He highlighted the breadth of Arup's expertise, spanning areas from advanced geometry design to climate advisory, and emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability principles into every stage of project development. He showcased Arup's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as clean energy, sustainable cities, and climate action. Notable projects discussed included the Cayanga Hillside Solar Farm in the Philippines and Hong Kong's AIRSIDE PV farm, both of which exemplify innovative solutions for reducing carbon footprints.

Mr. Hilkhuijsen also demonstrated innovative techniques developed by Arup, such as repurposing current transport assets for electric vehicle hubs and utilizing digital tools like Observe Heat to identify urban heat hotspots and suggest nature-based interventions. He highlighted how these approaches leverage technology and data to create actionable solutions for more sustainable urban environments. The talk concluded with a lively Q&A session. Thank you, Mr. Hilkhuijsen, for sharing his expertise and inspiring the next generation of sustainability leaders.