Event Review

​Weihai, Shandong - July 21-22, 2024 - The Urban Systems Institute, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) successfully hosted a workshop, focusing on the themes of "Exquisite City" and "Healthy City." The two-day event brought together distinguished scholars and government officials to discuss and explore innovative and sustainable approaches to urban development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1 Group Photo

The first day began with a seminar on the exquisite city, chaired by Prof. Gong Peng, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of HKU. Prof. Huang Jianxiang, a USI fellow and an associate professor in the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU, presented his research on the methodologies for assessing exquisite cities. The presentation was followed by heated debates and discussions on how to better define and measure the exquisite city and make it a transformative concept. The seminar received insightful suggestions from all participants, including the Director of the Weihai Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, who also shared the practical experiences from Weihai, a national exquisite city in China.

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Figure 2 Prof. Gong Peng chairing the seminar

 

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Figure 3 Prof. Huang Jianxiang presenting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 4 Prof. He Shenjing sharing

In the afternoon, Prof. He Shenjing, Head of the Department of Urban Planning and Design and Executive Deputy Director of the Urban Systems Institute, HKU, kicked start the discussions on the theme of “healthy cities”, by presenting potential research topics on exquisite cities and healthy cities based on “One Health” framework. She also chaired a series of research presentations by other scholars. Prof. Zhang Xiaoling from the Department of Real Estate and Construction at HKU discussed the development patterns of exquisite cities, and topics on carbon neutrality and climate resilience. Prof. Thiyagarajan Vengatesen from the School of Biological Sciences at HKU linked the oyster industry to healthy city initiatives. Prof. Liu Chunhua from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong explored potential funding sources for future collaborative research. Prof. Pan Qisheng from the University of Texas at Arlington examined the exquisite city concept from the perspective of freight transportation systems. Prof. Bai Yuqi from Tsinghua University's Department of Earth System Science discussed the issues on the indicator system for exquisite cities from the perspective of urban health assessment. Prof. Yang Jun, from Tsinghua University's Department of Earth System Science, deliberated on the sustainability issues related to healthy cities. Prof. Yan Xiang, an associate professor at the College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, explored healthy city research from the “One Health” perspective.

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Figure 5 Prof. Zhang Xiaoling sharing
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 6 Prof. Thiyagarajan Vengatesen sharing

 

 

 

 

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Figure 7 Prof. Liu Chunhua sharing

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Figure 8 Prof. Pan Qisheng sharing

 

 

 

 

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Figure 9 Prof. Bai Yuqi sharing

 

 

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Figure 10 Prof. Yang Jun sharing

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Figure 11 Prof. Yan Xiang sharing

Other researchers also provided summaries and commentary on the topics of exquisite cities and healthy cities, including Prof. Li Xuecao from the College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University; Prof. Tian Linwei, Associate Professor from the School of Public Health at HKU; Prof. Li Weifeng, Cluster leader of Smart Cities under USI, Associate Professor from the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU; Prof. Yang Tianren, Assistant Professor from the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU; Prof. Zhou Yuyu, Professor from the Department of Geography at HKU; Prof. Zhu Peng, Assistant Professor from the Department of Geography at HKU; Dr. Wang Jing, Postdoctoral Fellow from the Vanke School of Public Health at Tsinghua University; Dr. Liu Shu Postdoctoral Fellow from the Department of Geography at HKU; and Dr. Wen Tianzuo, Postdoctoral Fellow from the Department of Urban Planning and Design at HKU.

The second day of the symposium included a field visit to Rushan, where participants engaged with the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and local leadership. Discussions centered on experiences and insights regarding the development of exquisite cities, providing local knowledge and detailed context to the theoretical and academic discussions from the previous day.

The Urban Systems Institute, HKU extends its gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions, which have significantly advanced the dialogue on developing exquisite and healthy cities. The symposium highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement in addressing contemporary urban challenges, laying the foundation for future research and development in these critical areas.