Prof. MO, Kar Him (毛家謙)

Assistant Professor

PhD (CUHK)
MArch (CUHK)
BSSc (AS) (1st Hons) (CUHK)

Rm. 301, Lee Shau Kee Architecture Building, CUHK

Introduction

Mo Kar Him is an urbanist focusing on participatory design process in his teaching, research and design practice. With a profound interest in the production of space in contemporary society, his doctoral dissertation unfolded the historical dynamics of urban development, private patronage and public/private interests through archival research on one of the city’s key urban actors – Hongkong Land. The urban manifestation of corporates’ ideal has been further explored by Mo in a different theoretical context, which has led to his investigation in participatory design celebrating individuals’ imagination, ownership of and right to the city.

Prior to joining CUHK, Mo led a number of consultancy projects related to public policy review, through which he developed his expertise in sustainable development. These experiences have led to his research on the relationship between health and wellbeing and the built environment, with a specific focus on ageing society. With the goal to foster equitable healthy design, Mo’s works aim to bridge the academia, architecture and urban design professions, and the public at large through community empowerment and social innovation.

Besides academic research, Mo is actively involved in curatorial and arts events, with works exhibited at the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture (2010, 2019), Architecture is Art Festival (2011), ArtAlive@Park (2012) and Reveal-HKIA@Artistree (2013).

Research Interests

Participatory Design
Health and Wellbeing in the Built Environment
Design for Ageing
Contemporary Urban History

Publications

Mo, K. H. (2021). Study on a Pilot Inter-generational Residential Housing Project at the Hong Kong Housing Society: Interim Report. Unpublished report. School of Architecture, CUHK.

Mo, K. H., Ko, K. Y., & Woo, J. (2021). Study of Residential Design Guide for Healthy Ageing in Hong Kong: Interim Report. Unpublished report. JC Institute of Ageing, CUHK.

Mo, K. H., & Lim, B. V. (2020). Draft Final Recommendation on Review of the Mechanism for Encouraging a Quality Built Environment through Gross Floor Area Concession. Unpublished report. Buildings Department Hong Kong SAR Government.

Mo, K. H., & Lim, B. V. (2019). Final Recommendation on Review on the Formulae and Standards for Arriving at the Space Requirements of UGC-funded Universities. Unpublished report. University Grants Committee Hong Kong SAR Government.

Mo, K.H. (2017). “Profit, Virtue and Megaform: Hongkong Land’s Building Activities in Central District, 1889 – 1983”. Ph.D. dissertation. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Retrieved from http://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/en/item/cuhk-1587286

Savela, M. & Mo, K.H. (2015). “The Babel Project: Towards an Urban Education Startup” in Urban Pamphleteer 5, 25-27.

Chang P.H. & Mo, K.H. (2015).“The Cultural Landscape of Aging Community(長者社群.人文景觀)” in Hong Kong Economic Journal. Retrieved from http://www1.hkej.com/dailynews/commentary/article/1049143

Savela, M. & Mo, K.H. (2014). “Tin Shui Wai Game Lab: Introduction to Visualizing Urbanism & Urban Design”. MSc Urban Design, CUHK. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/mscudxcuhk/docs/tswgamelab2014_mscudxcuhk

Savela, M., Mo, K.H. & Yuen M.S. (2013). “Mapping the City: Introduction to Visualizing Urbanism & Urban Design”. MSc Urban Design, CUHK. Retrieved from https://issuu.com/mscudxcuhk/docs/mappingthecity_2013_mscudxcuhk

Mo, K.H. (2014) “Chaozhou” in Kowloon Cultural District: An Investigation into Spatial Capabilities in Hong Kong, ed. Lorenz, E., & Li, S., 193-198.

Mo, K.H. (2011). “New Monumentality: Architecture of Money”. MArch thesis. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Retrieved from http://repository.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/en/item/cuhk-327272

Research Projects

Hong Kong Housing Society, “A Study on a Pilot Inter-generational Residential Housing Project at the Hong Kong Housing Society”, Principal Investigator (HK$1,150,000), with Jean WOO, Ning FAN, Sarah MUI, and Rina KO, 2021-2022.

CUHK Social Science Research Impact Fund, “Enabling a healthy ageing city: Built environment, out-of-home activities, and well-being of older people in Hong Kong”, Co-Investigator (HK$500,000), with HE Ying Sylvia (PI), Mei Po KWAN, and Yannie CHEUNG, 2021-2023.

CUHK Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, “Happy Ageing Lab”, Project Leader (HK$600,000), with Rina KO and William SIN, 2021-2023.

CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, “Healthy Ageing x Ageing in Place”, Co-Leader (HK$400,000), with Jean WOO (Project Leader) and Ruby YU, 2021-2023.

CUHK Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant, “Data-Driven Urban Studies – A Computational Toolkit for Analysing Complex Urban Data and Processes”, Co-Investigator (HK$333,000), with Jeroen AMEIJDE (PI) and Hendrik TIEBEN, 2021-2022.

CUHK Funding Scheme for Virtual Teaching and Learning, “Developing a Virtual Field Trip with Modules and Mixed Reality Technologies to Complement a Physical Field Trip”, Co-Investigator (HK$300,000), with HE Ying Sylvia (PI), 2021-2023.

Urban Renewal Fund via Hong Kong Arts Centre, “Urban Design Lab @ Via North Point: Co-creation of Urban Charter for North Point District”, Principal Investigator (HK$85,000), with Rina KO and William SIN, 2020.

SIE-Fund via The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, “Project Hap Sap: Prototype of Training and Empowerment Programme for Promoting Elderly Well-being in Built Environment”, Principal Investigator (HK$200,000), with Rina KO and William SIN, 2020.

CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, “Sustainable Communities Lab for People’s Multifaceted Well-being”, Co-Leader (HK$400,000), with Mee Kam NG (Project Leader), Hendrik TIEBEN, HE Ying Sylvia, and Victor LI, 2020-2021.

Chinachem Group, “Study of Residential Design Guide for Healthy Ageing in Hong Kong (Open-source)”, Co-Principal Investigator (HK$6,646,375), with Jean WOO (PI) and Rina KO, 2019-2024.

SIE-Fund via CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, “Nutcrackers: Empowerment Research Project Fostering Elderly Well-being in Built Environment in Hong Kong”, Co-Project Leader (HK$400,000), with Jean WOO (Project Leader) and Mee Kam NG, 2019-2020.

Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre via One Bite Design Studio, “Co-Creation of Age-Friendly Home: Workshop Collaboration”, Collaborator (HK$10,000), with Sarah MUI, Rina KO, and William SIN, 2019.

Built Heritage Conservation Fund, Development Bureau, HKSARG, “A Multi-dimensional ‘Point-Line-Plane’ Approach to Industrial Heritage Conservation in Hong Kong: A Case Study of Ma On Shan (MOS) Iron Mine”, Co-Investigator (HK$2,000,000), with Mee Kam NG (PI), Joanna LEE, Victor LI, Jianfa SHEN, Hendrik TIEBEN, and Ka Ming WU, 2018-2020.

Advised Theses

CHAN Cheuk Man, Miranda, “Dynamics between Perceptions, Spatial Behaviours and Well-being: A Study of Urban Parks as Social Space to Promote Social Well-being of Children in Hong Kong,” 2019-20 (Capstone Thesis, Urban Studies Programme)

MA Cheuk Long, Thomas, “Design of a Digital Platform to Promote Community Inclusion,” 2019-20 (Capstone Project, Urban Studies Programme)

TANG Sung Him, Owen, “Can You Take Your Emotions Out for a Walk? A Study of Walkability and Psychological Well-being in Shatin,” 2019-20 (Capstone Thesis, Co-supervised with Prof. Sylvia He, Urban Studies Programme)

Honours and Recognitions

“Project Hap Sap”, The Second Silver Innovators’ Competition, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, 2019-20 – Prototype Awardee

ICS Mok Hing Cheong Postgraduate Scholarship, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2016-17

M+ Design Trust Research Fellowship, 2015-16 – Shortlist

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, 2012-2016

HKIA Student Medal 2011, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects

RIBA President’s Medals (Silver Medal) 2011, The Royal Institute of British Architects – Shortlist

DLN Award, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010-2011

Wong Tung & Partners Scholarship, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010-2011

Honorary Appointments

Member, Think Tank Panel for “POSsible! Design Guide” (project commissioned by ArchSD) (2021-2022)

Jury, The Charette: Architecture Thesis of the Year (2021)

Member, Building Committee for the Redevelopment of Block E on Chung Chi Campus to Multifunctional Building (2021-date)

Member, Building Committee for the Student Hostel in Area 39 (2022-date)

Member, College Student Hostels Committee, Chung Chi College (2019-date)

Member, Creativity Awards Committee, Chung Chi College (2019-date)

Member, Campus Environmental Committee, Chung Chi College (2019-2020)