【香港地理空間實驗室正式成立】【Establishment of the Geospatial Lab in Hong Kong】

香港特別行政區政府發展局公布由東華三院營運，智慧城市聯盟支援運作，以地區為本的地理空間實驗室正式成立，目的是鼓勵民間利用空間數據開發智能應用程式，推動空間數據共享平台在智慧城市的發展。

實驗室將提供工作空間、培訓室、會議室，及配備有地理信息系統軟件的高端電腦和雲端系統託管服務。與此同時，實驗室亦帶來多方面效益，包括讓初創公司、年輕一代和具有創意思維的公眾人士集思廣益，一同討論、探索、交流開發具備空間數據的網絡應用。

東華三院將與智慧城市聯盟共同協作，安排具備地理空間知識範疇的專家進駐實驗室，提供相關指導及協助，以支援各個概念驗證項目、提供基本地理空間技能培訓課程、舉辦研討會和工作坊等。

實驗室提供的主要服務包括：導師指導計劃；支持概念驗證項目的訓練；地理空間技能基本培訓課程，例如地理資訊系統技巧；有關空間數據及商業個案應用的研討會／工作坊／學校講座；與業界持分者交流；以及協助促進地理空間業界、企業家與服務使用者之間的聯繫，以尋求共同合作的機會等等。

實驗室將分階段投入服務。首個項目「地理空間實驗室成立儀式暨網上研討會」於今日（5月10日）下午舉行，特區政府發展局官員、多位空間數據學者及專家出席並分享地理空間數據的發展，以及介紹實驗室將會推出的活動及服務。

The Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government (the Government) announced that the Geospatial Lab (GeoLab) operated by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and supported by Smart City Consortium has been established for encouraging the public to make use of spatial data in developing smart applications, dovetailing the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure (CSDI) initiative in support of smart city development.

With the missions to appreciate the value and importance of spatial data as well as enable start-ups, younger generations and creative minds to come together to discuss, explore and exchange ideas on development with spatial data, the GeoLab provides targeted users with a convenient working space which is well-equipped with proper fitted-out, and training-meeting rooms with access to high-end computers with Geographic Information System (GIS) software and cloud hosting services.

Through the collaboration of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Smart City Consortium, experts with geospatial knowledge will be stationed in the laboratory to provide guidance and assistance to support various proof-of-concept projects; basic geospatial skills training courses; and holding of seminars and workshops.

The key services of the GeoLab include mentoring scheme; coaching to support conducting proof-of-concept project; training courses on basic geospatial skill sets e.g. GIS techniques; seminars / workshops / school talks on use of spatial data and business cases; visit to industry stakeholders; and facilitate reaching out to geospatial business, entrepreneurs and users to seed opportunities, etc.

Various services will roll out in phases at the GeoLab.  The first activity, the “Establishment of Geospatial Lab-cum-Webinar”, took place online today (10 May 2021) afternoon.  Government Officials from the Development Bureau, and notable experts in CSDI, introduced the services to-be-launched at the GeoLab and shared the latest development of geospatial data.