Introduction

Prof. MO Kar Him is an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Studies Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on healthy ageing, intergenerational living, participatory design, and community planning, advocating for an equitable and inclusive built environment for all, especially our ageing population.


His works are primarily community-based and collaborative in nature. Supported by ZeShan Foundation, Ho Cheung Shuk Yuen Charitable Foundation, and previously CUHK Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund, he has co-founded and been leading Happy Ageing Lab Foundation to promote housing innovation for the ageing population with public housing suppliers, quasi-public/private developers, property management companies, service providers, and design industry. The Lab is a not-for-profit consultancy practice, with an interdisciplinary team, steered by a passionate board and advisors who are local and international experts in the field of gerontology, primary care, occupational therapy, social work, architecture, and urban planning.


Prior to joining CUHK, Prof. Mo was the Head of Research in an award-winning architectural consultancy firm, leading a number of government consultancy projects on policy/ordinance review, fostering sustainable building design in Hong Kong.

Research Interests

  • Age-friendly Cities
  • Healthy Ageing/ Ageing-in-place/ Intergenerational Living
  • Housing Design
  • Service Design and Integration
  • Public Space Design
  • Participatory Design and Community Empowerment
  • Urban Commons and Commoning

Publications

Study on a Pilot Inter-generational Residential Housing Project at the Hong Kong Housing Society

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 Unpublished report.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.


Study of Residential Design Guide for Healthy Ageing in Hong Kong

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 Unpublished report.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.


Draft Final Recommendation on Review of the Mechanism for Encouraging a Quality Built Environment through Gross Floor Area Concession

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 Unpublished report.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.


Final Recommendation on Review on the Formulae and Standards for Arriving at the Space Requirements of UGC-funded Universities

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.


Profit, Virtue and Megaform: Hongkong Land’s Building Activities in Central District, 1889 – 1983

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


The Babel Project: Towards an Urban Education Startup

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


The Cultural Landscape of Aging Community

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


Tin Shui Wai Game Lab: Introduction to Visualizing Urbanism & Urban Design

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


Mapping the City: Introduction to Visualizing Urbanism & Urban Design

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


“Chaozhou” in Kowloon Cultural District: An Investigation into Spatial Capabilities in Hong Kong

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


New Monumentality: Architecture of Money

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

Impacts of the Design of In-Between Spaces in High-Density Living Environment on Older Adults’ Activities and Social Lives: a Case Study of Subsidised Housing Estates in Hong Kong

Mo, K.H. (PI)

Early Career Scheme, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong; 2023-2026 (HK$1,448,720)


Capacity Building for Happy Ageing Lab Foundation

Mo, K.H. (PL), Ko, K.Y., Sin, H.L., Fan, N. & Mui, S.W.

ZeShan Foundation and Ho Cheung Shuk Yuen Charitable Foundation; 2023-2024

Research and Advisory Service for the Theme-based Improvement Works in Public Rental Housing Estates

Mo, K.H. (PI – as Research Partner)

Housing Authority, Hong Kong SAR Government; 2023-2024


Pilot Study of Age-friendly Neighbourhood: Participatory Action Research with Older Adults, Other Age Groups and Professionals in the Private Housing Estate in Hong Kong

Mo, K.H. (PI)

Direct Grant for Research CUHK; 2023-2024 (HK$100,000).


Impacts of the Design of In-Between Spaces in High-Density Living Environment on Older Adults' Activities and Social Health: a Case Study of Tailor-Designed Elderly Housing Estate in Hong Kong

Mo, K.H. (PI)

Direct Grant for Research, CUHK; 2022-2023 (HK$100,000)


Study of the Implementation of the Intergenerational Housing Model at Hong Kong Housing Society’s Hung Shui Kiu Development

Mo, K.H. (PI), Woo., J., Fan, N., Mui, S.W. & Ko, K.Y.

Hong Kong Housing Society; 2022-2023


Feasibility Study of Senior Living Business Models at CCG Development

Mo, K.H. (PL) & Ko, K.Y.

Chinachem; 2023


Study of the Implementation of the Intergenerational Residential Development at Yuen Long

Mo, K.H. (PI), Fan, N., Mui, S.W., Ko, K.Y. & Sin, H.L.

Sun Hung Kai Properties; 2022

A Study on a Pilot Inter-generational Residential Housing Project at the Hong Kong Housing Society

Principal Investigator, with Jean WOO, Ning FAN, Sarah MUI, and Rina KO

Hong Kong Housing Society; 2021-2022


Enabling a Healthy Ageing City: Built environment, Out-of-home activities, and Well-being of Older people in Hong Kong

Co-Investigator, with HE Ying Sylvia (PI), Mei Po KWAN, and Yannie CHEUNG

CUHK Social Science Research Impact Fund; 2021-2023 (HK$500,000)


Happy Ageing Lab

Project Leader, with Rina KO and William SIN

CUHK Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Project Fund; 2021-2023 (HK$600,000)


Healthy Ageing x Ageing in Place

Co-Leader, with Jean WOO (Project Leader) and Ruby YU

CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund; 2021-2023 (HK$400,000)


Data-Driven Urban Studies – A Computational Toolkit for Analysing Complex Urban Data and Processes

Co-Investigator, with Jeroen AMEIJDE (PI) and Hendrik TIEBEN

CUHK Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant; 2021-2022 (HK$333,000)


Developing a Virtual Field Trip with Modules and Mixed Reality Technologies to Complement a Physical Field Trip

Co-Investigator, with HE Ying Sylvia (PI)

CUHK Funding Scheme for Virtual Teaching and Learning; 2021-2023 (HK$300,000)


Urban Design Lab @ Via North Point: Co-creation of Urban Charter for North Point District

Principal Investigator, with Rina KO and William SIN

Urban Renewal Fund via Hong Kong Arts Centre; 2020 (HK$85,000)


Project Hap Sap: Prototype of Training and Empowerment Programme for Promoting Elderly Well-being in Built Environment

Principal Investigator, with Rina KO and William SIN

SIE-Fund via The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; 2020 (HK$200,000)


Sustainable Communities Lab for People’s Multifaceted Well-being

Co-Leader, with Mee Kam NG (Project Leader), Hendrik TIEBEN, HE Ying Sylvia, and Victor LI

CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund; 2020-2021 (HK$400,000)


Study of Residential Design Guide for Healthy Ageing in Hong Kong (Open-source)

Co-Principal Investigator, with Jean WOO (PI) and Rina KO

Chinachem Group; 2019-2024


Nutcrackers: Empowerment Research Project Fostering Elderly Well-being in Built Environment in Hong Kong

Co-Project Leader, with Jean WOO (Project Leader) and Mee Kam NG

SIE-Fund via CUHK Knowledge Transfer Project Fund; 2019-2020 (HK$400,000)


Co-Creation of Age-Friendly Home: Workshop Collaboration

Collaborator, with Sarah MUI, Rina KO, and William SIN

Housing Society Elderly Resources Centre via One Bite Design Studio; 2019 (HK$10,000)


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, with Mee Kam NG (PI), Joanna LEE, Victor LI, Jianfa SHEN, Hendrik TIEBEN, and Ka Ming WU

Built Heritage Conservation Fund, Development Bureau, HKSARG; 2018-2020 (HK$2,000,000)

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

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


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


2015-16 SHORTLIST, M+ Design Trust Research Fellowship


2012-16 Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong


2011 HKIA Student Medal, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects


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


2010-11 DLN Award, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong


2010-11 Wong Tung & Partners Scholarship, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Honorary Appointments

Fellow, CUHK Institute of Future Cities


Fellow, Assembly of Fellows, Chung Chi College


Chairperson, Chung Chi Student Hostels Committee


Member, Construction Industry Council Youth Affairs Committee – Working Group on CIC/HKIC Affairs


Advisor, Space+ Programme (Place-making project by VeryHK)


Advisor, POSsible! Design Guide Research Study (Public space guideline R&D project commissioned by ArchSD)


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


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

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