Prof. MO Kar Him
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, CUHK
Chairperson & Co-founder, Happy Ageing Lab Foundation
Prof. Mo Kar Him is an Assistant Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Studies Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the chairperson and co-founder of Happy Ageing Lab Foundation, charitable research that promotes housing innovation for the ageing population. His work is grounded in a strong commitment to human-centred social innovation, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges of an ageing population through participatory design and community-based planning. He advocates for inclusive, intergenerational environments that support dignity, wellness, and social cohesion across all ages.
Prof. Mo's 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. He approaches design not merely as a problem-solving tool, but as a process rooted in empathy, observation, and engagement. His academic and professional work bridges theory and practice, having led various public policy advisory projects and served in key roles with both local and international organisations. These include the WHO’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, where he is a core member of the Urban and Territorial Planning working group, and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Task Force on Age-friendly Communities.
Prof. Mo collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Government departments such as, Housing Authority and Buildings Department, and Hong Kong Housing Society, private sector partners such as Chinachem Group, to explore innovative approaches to age-friendly housing and regulatory reform. The lab under his leadership, has received support from family foundations and university knowledge transfer grants, and has been internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary projects that bridge housing design, community engagement, and social impact.
Driven by a strong belief in co-creation and empathy, Prof. MO is dedicated to fostering sustainable, community-based design solutions through cross-sector collaboration—ensuring that people of all ages have a voice in shaping the environments they live in.