From March 16 to 23, 2009, Dr. Shan Wenhui, in collaboration with the Fudan University Nordic Centre and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Sweden, conducted a sustainable urban development research project at Fudan University. The initiative received strong support from the Baoshan District Planning Bureau.
This research project is part of an annual Sino-Swedish course on sustainable urban development planning. It aims to explore urban sustainability through case studies of Chinese and Swedish cities, providing academic support for improving urban forms and structural upgrades.
This year's course focused on Luodian in Shanghai's Baoshan District as a case study. Luodian features both a well-preserved old town with local cultural heritage and a newly developed Nordic-style town. Key research questions included:
- How to organically integrate tradition and modernity to create open and connected spaces
- How to leverage transportation advantages to attract populations from Shanghai's urban center
- How to combine sustainable development principles with local conditions to create higher-standard new towns
The Luodian Sustainable Urban Development Project brought together experts including Dr. Shan Wenhui, Professor Lars Orrskog, Professor Göran Cars, and Professor Ebba from KTH. Under their guidance, students from China and Sweden:
- Analyzed Luodian's infrastructure, industrial economy, demographics, and cultural history
- Identified development opportunities and challenges
- Incorporated local residents' feedback into planning proposals
- Developed innovative urban concepts based on sustainability principles
Representatives from the Baoshan District Planning Bureau attended the project presentation, engaged with students' ideas, and participated in productive discussions with faculty and students.