Asian SPACE Workshop · Hong Kong · 2026

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0800

Building image unavailable.

HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study · IAS gallery ↗. The graph is AI-enhanced for style.

HONG KONG · 2026

Asian SPACE Workshop

Spatial and Political Analysis of the Contemporary Economy

Register now ↗

DATE

November7–82026

SATURDAY – SUNDAY

WORKSHOP VENUE HKUST · IAS Building Google Maps ↗ Room IAS 4042 · 4/F Clear Water Bay · Hong Kong

SPACE brings together researchers working on spatial economics and related areas of applied economics, including international trade, urban and regional economics, development, labor, and political economy. The 2026 workshop features research presentations, poster displays and discussions, and a keynote session on AI for economic research.

Workshop program

All times are Hong Kong time (HKT, UTC+8). The program is tentative and may be updated.

Saturday, November 7

Time (HKT)	Session / presentation
08:30	Registration
08:50–09:00	Opening address
09:00–09:40	DU, Xinming National University of Singapore Grid Lock-In and the Geography of AI
09:40–10:20	KAMADA, Takuma The University of Osaka Stolen for Export: War-Induced Foreign Demand, Transport Costs, and Vehicle Theft
10:20–10:40	Coffee break
10:40–11:20	LI, Leona Shao-Zhi University of Macau More but Not Better: Career Incentives of Local Leaders and Entrepreneurial Dynamics in China
11:20–12:00	INAGAKI, Kazuma The University of Osaka Born Global, New Exporter Dynamics, and the Aggregate Gains from Trade
12:00–14:00	Poster Session & Discussion (Begins) Posters remain on display during breaks on both days · Lunch by invitation only
14:00–14:40	KOMATSU, Toshiaki National Taiwan University Firm Life Cycle, Endogenous Production Networks, and Frictional Labor Market
14:40–15:20	PENG, Cong Peking University Production Networks and Optimal Road Networks: An Application to Pakistan
15:20–15:40	Coffee break
15:40–16:20	ZHU, Xiaodong The University of Hong Kong The Farm Problem
16:20–16:40	Break
16:40–18:00	Keynote Session: AI for Economic Research KASAHARA, Hiroyuki University of British Columbia KAWAGUCHI, Kohei The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
18:30	Workshop dinner By invitation only

Sunday, November 8

Time (HKT)	Session / presentation
09:00–09:40	MA, Hong Tsinghua University The Last Mile Matters: How Delivery Infrastructure Shapes Online Trade and Consumption Inequality
09:40–10:20	KASAHARA, Hiroyuki University of British Columbia The Impact of Electrification on Quality and Productivity: Evidence from Japanese Cotton Spinning
10:20–10:40	Coffee break
10:40–11:20	LUO, Sai Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Ethnic Neighborhoods and Assimilation: Evidence from Full Count Historical Census Data
11:20–12:00	KUMAGAI, Motohiro Australian National University Keeping Pulses on the Soil: Cultivation Practice and the Early Rise of Political Organization
12:00–13:30	Lunch, Poster Discussions & General Discussion Posters remain available · Lunch by invitation only
13:30–14:10	MIYANO, Sayumi The University of Osaka Shadow Representation: Multinational Firms and International Standard-Setting
14:10–14:50	YANG, Alan Yu Peking University, Guanghua School of Management Geography of Beliefs: Trade Liberalization and Talent Allocation Through College Major Choice
14:50–15:00	Concluding remarks

Poster presentations

Poster presentations and discussions begin on Saturday, November 7, during the 12:00–14:00 lunch period. Poster displays remain available for informal discussion during lunch and coffee breaks on both days, in the area next to the workshop venue.

Presenter	Poster title
GAO, Qi Singapore Management University	Bricks or Cash? Externalities of Housing Upgrading in High-Density Cities
HU, Die Peking University HSBC Business School	The Spatial Effects of Labor Mobility Restrictions: Evidence from the Shenzhen Wall
LI, Shuo Fudan University	Climate Change, Migration and the Design of Inter-City Transportation Networks
LIN, Feng The Chinese University of Hong Kong	Sorting, Displacement, and Welfare Gains from Non-Local Firms
IKEUCHI, Rio The University of Osaka	Race or Nativity? Asian Immigration and the Boundaries of American Identity
SHEN, Xiaochi Shanghai Jiao Tong University	Stormwater Drainage for Climate-Resilient Urban Mobility
XIANG, Yi The University of Hong Kong	Agricultural Mechanization Under Migration
WANG, Qiuyi Sichuan University	Harder to Sell, Harder to Move Up? Evidence from COVID-19

Venue & travel

Seminar Room IAS 4042, 4/F, HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

The venue is located at the south end of the Clear Water Bay campus, close to the on-campus Conference Lodge. Please allow additional time to reach the IAS Building if you arrive at the main academic buildings or the north entrance. Registration starts at 08:30 on Saturday.

Official HKUST/Conference Lodge travel directions ↗

Getting to HKUST

All fares below are approximate in Hong Kong dollars (HK$) unless a published public-transport fare is specified.

Taxi / Uber Taxi drop-off instructions

For taxi or Uber Taxi, ask the driver to take you to the HKUST Jockey Club Institute for Advanced Study (IAS Building) via the South Gate (南閘), near Conference Lodge.

You can show the following message to your taxi driver:

請載我到香港科技大學賽馬會高等研究院（IAS 大樓），近西貢清水灣道校園南閘，謝謝。

From Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

Airport terminal guidance ↓

Option	How to travel	Estimated cost
Direct taxi (most convenient)	Red taxi from the airport taxi stand directly to the IAS Building; about 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. View taxi route ↗	About HK$350 (budget HK$350–400) Please confirm the payment method with the driver before boarding. See taxi payment tips ↓
Airport Express + taxi	Take the Airport Express to Tsing Yi Station (about 14 minutes), then a taxi to HKUST (approximately 30–40 minutes). Airport → Tsing Yi ↗ · Tsing Yi → IAS by taxi ↗	Airport Express HK$73 per adult with Octopus/contactless card, plus taxi roughly HK$220–280; total HK$293–353 for one person
Airport bus + local transport (budget option)	Take Citybus A29 to the Nan Fung Plaza / Hang Hau area (approximately 80–100 minutes). Continue by taxi from Hang Hau (about 10 minutes), or walk to Hang Hau Station and take minibus 11M to the HKUST North Entrance, then walk across campus to IAS. Airport → Hang Hau ↗ · Hang Hau → IAS by taxi ↗ · Hang Hau → IAS by transit ↗	A29 HK$44 + taxi HK$40–60 (total HK$84–104); or + minibus 11M HK$6.50 (total HK$50.50) For minibus 11M, use Octopus or exact cash. Minibus payment details ↓
Airport bus A29 via Diamond Hill	Take Citybus A29 from the airport and get off at Diamond Hill (Lung Cheung Road). For a direct onward connection, take a taxi to the IAS Building; alternatively, walk to Diamond Hill Station bus terminus (Exit C1) and take KMB 91 or 91M to the HKUST South Entrance. Another option is to transfer at Choi Hung to green minibus 11 for HKUST South Entrance. Check weekend bus services. Airport → Diamond Hill ↗ · Diamond Hill → IAS by taxi ↗ · Diamond Hill → IAS by transit ↗	A29 HK$44 + taxi approximately HK$100–140 (total HK$144–184); or + 91M bus HK$7.10 (total HK$51.10). The minibus 11 full fare is HK$8.80.

From Hong Kong West Kowloon High-Speed Rail Station

Taxi: approximately HK$180 (allow roughly HK$180–220 depending on traffic and route), typically about 35–45 minutes to IAS. Alternatively, take the MTR toward Hang Hau and continue by taxi (approximately HK$40–60) or minibus 11M (HK$6.50, arriving at the North Entrance).

Taxi directions ↗ · Public transit directions ↗

From Hang Hau and Other MTR Stations

From Hang Hau MTR Station, a taxi directly to IAS costs approximately HK$40–60. Green minibus 11M costs HK$6.50 and goes to the HKUST North Entrance, from which you will need to walk across campus. Bus 91M serves the South Entrance; check the current route and weekend timetable. From Choi Hung MTR Station, a taxi costs approximately HK$75–100.

Hang Hau → IAS taxi ↗ · Hang Hau → IAS transit ↗ · Choi Hung → IAS taxi ↗ · Choi Hung → IAS transit ↗

Practical Travel Tips

Taxi & ride-hailing payments Hong Kong taxis accept cash and, since April 2026, are required to offer at least two electronic payment methods: one QR-code option and one non-QR option. The exact methods vary by taxi and may include Octopus, credit cards, Alipay, WeChat Pay or FPS. Please check with the driver before boarding. Having some HKD cash available is still recommended. Uber ↗ is available in Hong Kong and recommended for convenient app-based booking and payment, including Uber Taxi. Uber prices may differ from metered taxi fares. Metered fares can vary with route, traffic, tolls and luggage.

Green minibus payment: Use an Octopus card or exact HKD cash for routes such as 11M and 11. Credit-card acceptance should not be assumed; other electronic payment methods vary by route.

Departing from Hong Kong International Airport: check your terminal Since May 27, 2026, Terminal 2 (T2) has reopened for departure check-in. Airlines including HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines, and Greater Bay Airlines have moved their check-in counters to T2. T2 check-in does not mean your boarding gate is in T2: after check-in and security/immigration, passengers ordinarily take the Automated People Mover to the boarding gates in Terminal 1 (T1). Please confirm your check-in terminal with your airline before travelling to the airport and allow extra time. For late-night or early-morning flights, check your airline's instructions: some T2 facilities and the people mover may be closed overnight, requiring a transfer back to T1 for security and immigration.

Airport airline/terminal directory ↗ · Airport Authority T2 departure guide ↗ · HK Express T2 information ↗

Official transport references Official transport references: MTR Airport Express fares ↗ · Conference Lodge transport guide ↗ · Hong Kong taxi information ↗ · Citybus Airport Bus routes ↗ · HKUST public transit directions ↗

Accommodation

On campus: Conference Lodge

The Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Conference Lodge ↗ is within a short walk of the IAS Building. It is the most convenient option for participants. Workshop-related room booking enquiries must go through HKUST faculty or staff; participants may contact the local organizer at dyrao@ust.hk for assistance. Reservations are subject to availability.

Conference Lodge → IAS walking directions ↗

Sai Kung · relatively remote

On the Sai Kung waterfront, away from the MTR; about 15–25 minutes by taxi to IAS, estimated fare HK$80–120.

Official hotel website ↗

Hotel → IAS taxi route ↗

These are suggested hotels, not negotiated workshop rates. Taxi costs are estimates for a one-way journey to the IAS Building; actual fares depend on the meter, route, traffic and applicable charges. Uber is also available for travel between hotels and campus.

Weather in Hong Kong

November is generally mild and relatively dry in Hong Kong. According to NOAA’s Integrated Surface Database, over 2004–2018, the daily high on November 7–8 averaged 27.5°C (s.d. = 2.1°C) and the daily low averaged 22.9°C (s.d. = 2.1°C). Measurable rain was recorded in 2 of 15 years (13%).

See the Hong Kong Observatory’s historical climate normals ↗ and 9-day weather forecast ↗.

Information for participants

Registration: Complete the workshop registration form ↗. Attendance is subject to capacity and confirmation by the organizers. Registered participants will receive logistical details by email closer to the workshop. Registration may close early if venue capacity is reached.
Meals: Coffee breaks are on the program. Workshop lunches on both days and Saturday's dinner are covered for all oral and poster presenters. For other attendees, these meals are by invitation only. Nearby dining options include Diners@LSKBB (LSK canteen, our favorite Ma-la-tang place), UniQue (Conference Lodge), and Ebeneezer’s (Middle Eastern).
Posters: Displays and informal discussion begin on Saturday lunchtime and continue during lunch and coffee breaks on both days. Poster presenters should follow the printing and display instructions sent by the organizers.
Wi-Fi: Visitors from participating universities can use eduroam; public areas of HKUST also offer Wi-Fi.HK via HKUST. See the HKUST visitor Wi-Fi guide ↗.
Travel documents: Check whether you need a visa or other entry documentation for Hong Kong well before departure. Registered participants who need an invitation letter should contact the organizers early.
Time zone: Hong Kong time is UTC+8. All talks take place in person at the Clear Water Bay campus.

Organizing Committee

HKUST: LIN, Yatang and RAO, Deyu
Hitotsubashi University: SUZUKI, Yuta and NAKAGAWA, Mariko
Shanghai Jiao Tong University: LU, Ming and XU, Le

For workshop enquiries: dyrao@ust.hk.

Previous regional SPACE workshops: Osaka University (2024) · Hitotsubashi University (2025)

Last updated: October 12, 2026. The program, logistics, and accommodation suggestions are subject to change.

Conferences & Workshops | Deyu Rao