Co-Create: Scale and Community

As urbanization continues to progress, modern cities are facing a series of complex challenges. The rapid growth of urban populations and the strain on public resources are profoundly affecting the living quality for residents and the sustainable development of the cities. Under such circumstances, the construction of communities and neighborhoods has become a key factor in addressing these issues.

Community establishment, as a bottom-up approach to urban governance, involves not only the transformation of physical spaces but also the reconstruction of social relationships. By encouraging residents to actively participate in community affairs, a sense of belonging and mutual assistantship can be strengthened, thereby enhancing the communal vitality and resilience. Community building practices encompass both neighborhood renovations and public space designs at micro levels, as well as urban planning and policy-making though the lens of mega-trends.

In the early developing stages of urban planning, theories including "New Urbanism" provided guiding principles for establishing and operating communities. These theories emphasize the creation of human-centric public spaces, the enhancement of and optimization for pedestrian and cyclists, and mixed-use functions to improve the sustainability and livability of communities. Nowadays, concepts like smart cities introduce the integration of technology and ecology, using data-driven decision-making process and eco-friendly design to enhance urban adaptability and innovation capacity. Architects, landscape designers, and urban planners use their professional knowledge and creativity to provide communities with functional and aesthetically pleasing environments, while community operators stimulate residents' enthusiasm for participation through diverse activities and services, promoting social cohesion.

This thematic forum "Scales and Community Building" is inviting professionals from the fields of architecture, landscape, planning, and operations to share their experiences in community building practices. Through discussions and exchanges of ideas on multiple scales, it is hoped to furtherly explore possible solutions, pushing forward the urban sustainable developments and  the prosperity of communities. 

Andy Lantz, Co-CEO, Creative Director & Partner

Leo Cheung, Lead and Senior Associate of Heatherwick Studio

Haicheng Tian, CBO of Aranya, Executive Brand Officer of Jindali System Integration, Vice President and Academic Director of Urban Renewal and Cultural Tourism Working Committee (ACSC)

Peter Chang, Director of MVRDV Shanghai

Gang Yu, Founder and Chief Architect of QingMo Architectural Design

Sichen Xie, Project Manager of Canal Vanke Center, Founder of C-WORKs Design Platform

Zhongwei Li, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, Creative Director of Lab D+H

Yi Xu, Dongpeng Innovation Laboratory (DP LAB) Operation Manager

Moderator：Sherry Li, Editor-in-Chief, CEO & Founder 

Panel Discussion: 

Yansheng Yang, China Rural Revitalization Institute, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Deputy Secretary-General of the National College Students Rural Revitalization Creative Competition

Tianxin Xu, Co-founder and lead architect of Office Canopy of Architecture

Chenxi Zhong, Co-founder of RAUM

Nan Xiang, Founder and lead architect of Xiang Architects