Much like its population, Hong Kong’s buildings are aging fast. As of 2025, 68 percent of private buildings were at least 30 years old, with that figure set to surpass 82 percent over the next decade. Safety concerns surrounding building upkeep reached a boiling point after a horrific 2025 fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court — which was undergoing renovation — cost the lives of 168 people in November. To mitigate future risks, experts have recommended mandatory, regular preventive maintenance for older properties and the adoption of smart tools to maximize the longevity of newer structures. Leveraging internet of things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence digital twins, and real-time analytics, Homegevity — a tech-driven smart maintenance model — has helped Cyberport's luxury Residence Bel-Air save over HK$1 billion in projected renovation costs. Founder Allen Ha Wing-on compares Homegevity to a "data-driven building health physician”. The system prioritizes preventive diagnosis and full-lifecycle management over waiting for government inspections to trigger costly overhauls. The Bel-Air residences comprise 2,700 units across 30 high-rise blocks, and have been occupied since 2004. By reallocating existing maintenance funds into predictive technology, the committee extended the buildings' lifespan without imposing extra fees on residents. ALSO READ: How safe are Hong Kong buildings? Ha, former CEO of AsiaWorld-Expo and convenor of the Bel-Air owners' committee, said that applying technology to building upkeep aligns with national smart-city goals, transforming facility management into a science-based discipline. Critical of the traditional approach to aging infrastructure, Ha said that major building overhauls at the 30-year mark are a relic of the 1970s. Designed for single, low-rise buildings run by self-formed owner groups, this outdated model is ill-suited for modern, multi-tower estates and complex facilities worth billions. In 2012, the government launched the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, requiring owners of private buildings aged