Hong Kong Architects' Institute Urges Tender System Reform After Quality Scandals
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects has urged the government to overhaul the construction tendering system, warning that unsustainable low bids are fueling quality and safety problems across the industry. Speaking on October 9, 2026, the institute called for reforms including mandatory appointment of qualified safety professionals at the start of every project. The recommendations come amid heightened scrutiny of construction standards following recent high-profile incidents such as the steel reinforcement quality issues at the One Stanley luxury development.
Key Points
- The institute proposed introducing "Registered Building Safety Professional" requirements, mandating that specially trained qualified individuals oversee quality and safety supervision on construction sites
- The institute recommended that project owners be required to hire these safety professionals from project inception, mirroring the existing Authorized Person and Registered Engineer framework
- Regarding the One Stanley steel reinforcement quality incident, the institute expressed support for government investigation and stressed that illegal behaviour should be punished under existing laws to serve as a deterrent
- Industry insiders point to resource misallocation and asymmetric responsibilities affecting both consultants and contractors under the current tendering framework, with these problems worsening in recent years
- The institute urged the government to develop guidelines for reasonable construction timelines, cautioning that excessively compressed schedules create incentives for workers to break regulations
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's construction industry directly impacts public safety and the city's built environment quality. Without systemic reforms to prevent reckless underbidding and ensure adequate resources for quality supervision, residents face heightened risks from substandard buildings. The institute's recommendations could reshape how construction projects are awarded and monitored, potentially setting new standards for accountability in the sector .
Hong Kong's construction industry directly impacts public safety and the city's built environment quality. Without systemic reforms to prevent reckless underbidding and ensure adequate resources for quality supervision, residents face heightened risks from substandard buildings. The institute's recommendations could reshape how construction projects are awarded and monitored, potentially setting new standards for accountability in the sector .