Wheelock Properties and The DO Launch
WLAB’s Inclusive Cities Summit (WICS) 2024
 
Empowering Hong Kong’s Urban Evolution:
Pioneering Inclusive Solutions for Sustainable Growth

(October 16, 2024, Hong Kong) – Wheelock Properties (Hong Kong) Limited (“Wheelock Properties”), and The DO, a global learning institution and catalyst for business change and fellowship program focused on leadership, innovation and sustainability, are proud to announce at the Media Day today the official start of WLAB Inclusive Cities Summit (WICS) 2024, the first full-scale sustainability summit launched by The DO and powered by Wheelock Properties.

Wheelock Properties’ Vice Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Ricky Wong MH and The DO’s CEO Asia Ms. Belinda Esterhammer gathered for an engaging fireside chat with the media and discussed their organizations’ role in shaping Hong Kong into Asia’s leading sustainable city for a better future and quality of life that prioritize social impact, sustainability, and cultural preservation.

Set to run from October to November 2024 in Hong Kong, WICS 2024 will feature two months of full-scale program events designed to inspire actions and drive tangible changes across six key verticals: Social Impact Innovation & Sustainability, Youth Empowerment, Future of Work, Natural Ecosystem, Heritage Preservation, and Ageing Society.  Its transformative series of events aims at addressing critical urban challenges, bringing together entrepreneurs, youth leaders, policymakers, and industry pioneers to explore sustainable, inclusive, and innovative solutions for coping with the sustainability challenges in Hong Kong.

Ricky Wong MH, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Wheelock Properties (Left), in conversation with Belinda Esterhammer, CEO Asia of The DO (Right), discussing strategies for promoting sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Reliable Partnerships as Key to Sustainable Change Efforts

Ricky Wong MH, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Wheelock Properties, stated, “Wheelock Properties, in collaboration with The DO School in 2021, launched WLAB, an innovative center revitalized from the historic Po Chai Pills Factory. Aligned with The DO’s vision, we aim to drive sustainable development through innovative means. It is gratifying to witness the remarkable achievements of WLAB since its inception, including hosting 59 events in 2023 with an attendance of up to 125,000 individuals. Sustainability is deeply ingrained in our business model and operations, emphasizing delivering quality experience and trusted partnerships, creating a positive impact on the environment, and developing long-term enduring value as three key development strategies, showcasing a steadfast commitment to fostering sustainability.”

Ricky added, “Wheelock Properties has dedicated significant efforts to sustainable development. Prioritizing green building initiatives, we have achieved BEAM Plus Gold ratings or above for all newly developed projects over the past eight years, while also launching impactful community initiatives like Project WeCan for student support and the Lok Sin Village Transitional Housing Project for temporary housing. Since 2011, Wheelock Properties has been a partner in the Project WeCan program, benefitting over 93,000 students in 82 schools across Hong Kong. The ‘Lok Sin Village,’ a collaboration between Wheelock Properties and The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon provides 1,236 residential units with a projected lifespan of at least 8 years, expected to benefit 10,000 residents, effectively offering affordable housing solutions for those in need. The company remains committed to collaborative efforts with all stakeholders to advance sustainable development in Hong Kong, striving to construct high-quality, inclusive, and harmonious communities and enhance urban resilience.”

Belinda Esterhammer, CEO Asia of The DO, shared, “Our partnership with Wheelock Properties, a prominent leader in the property development sector, offers us a remarkable opportunity to expand our footprint in one of Asia’s key business hubs. With our strong global presence and a proven track record in driving transformative change for partners such as H&M and Mercedes-Benz, The DO brings a unique blend of business transformation expertise and a commitment to social impact. Together, we can leverage these skills to help create sustainable and inclusive urban growth right here in Hong Kong.”

Belinda added, “As we expand our presence in Hong Kong and across Asia, our focus is on shaping cities that are innovative, forward-thinking, and resilient. WICS 2024 is more than just a summit—it’s a launchpad for ideas and solutions that will drive the future of urban living. By bringing together pioneers in sustainability, social innovation, and youth empowerment, we are creating platforms that allow cities to evolve dynamically and adapt to new challenges. The DO is committed to positioning WLAB as a springboard for urban innovation, supporting solutions that aim to set a new benchmark for sustainable city development across the region.”

Event Highlights of WICS 2024

With the future of property development, urban planning, and sustainability industries resting on collaborative solutions, WICS 2024 invites changemakers and visionaries to engage in meaningful conversations across a series of dynamic events that address today’s most pressing challenges. As this year’s summit places a new emphasis on cultural preservation, a standout highlight will be the “Preserving Legacy, Embracing Innovation: Hong Kong’s Cultural Legacy” event at The Murray. As one of Hong Kong’s heritage-to-hotel legacy buildings, The Murray will host leaders exploring the critical intersection of technology, sustainability, and cultural preservation, featuring Colin Ward, the architect who transformed the building into the iconic hotel.

Other events include Youth Engagement Beyond “Lying Flat” with SynergisED, the live #impact podcast recording How to Make Hong Kong a Better Place with Regina Larko (#impact), the startup pitch workshop Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow: Gen Z Toolkit with Breer, and panels such as Leading Well: The Future of Workplace Wellbeing featuring Krish Sundaresan (Pfizer) and Olivia Wong (MTR), Indoor Air Quality and ESG Impact Assessment with Clean Air Network, Sustainability Talent – Challenges & Future Demand with ConnectedGroup, Green FinTech Showcase with Finstep Asia and the Fintech Association, and the Art in the MTR Tour with Andrew Mead (MTR). These events aim to foster dialogue among stakeholders towards impactful urban changes.

With such a diverse agenda that includes workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, WICS 2024 is anticipated to receive a significant turnout from diverse participants and to become a powerful platform for exchanging ideas, forging partnerships, and accelerating progress towards inclusive and sustainable urban growth.

For more information and to register for WICS 2024, please visit: WICS 2024 website

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About Wheelock Properties

Wheelock Properties is a leading real estate development company dedicated to creating sustainable environments and responsible developments. With a focus on quality, trust, and partnerships, the company prioritizes positive environmental impact and building long-term value within its ecosphere. Sustainability is deeply embedded in Wheelock Properties’ business and operations. The Company has been actively engaged in property, infrastructure and multi-asset class investments, all with a strong emphasis on long-term value, sustainability, and inclusivity.

For more information about Wheelock Properties, please visit: Wheelock Properties

About The DO

The DO is a global organization that empowers businesses, employees, and entrepreneurs in key moments of transformative change. It is home to the award-winning DO School, which designs and implements programs to unlock the potential of teams and individuals, turning people into the drivers of future success. The DO School’s fellowship programs also support impact entrepreneurs around the world in creating solutions to our biggest challenges. In addition, The DO Catalyst works with leading companies across industries to accelerate and sustain the changes that will make businesses successful in tomorrow’s economy. With its Asia headquarters in Hong Kong and campuses in Berlin, New York and beyond, The DO has empowered over 60,000 impact entrepreneurs in 110+ countries, and catalyzed change in over 50 organizations in 40+ countries.

For more information about The DO, please visit: The DO