The 12th IACP Annual Conference a Success

The 12th IACP Annual Conference in Xi’an, China

June 30, 2018 – July 1, 2018, the 12th International Association for China Planning (IACP) Annual Conference, hosted by IACP and co-organized by the School of Architecture, was held in Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology.

The conference theme was “Globalization vs Regionality: International Experience and China Practice in the New Era”, focusing on urban and rural planning and development in the new era, and basing on the strong regional characteristics of Xi’an, to examine the background, problems and causes of China’s urban and rural development, and to explore China’s future urban and rural planning response and development direction. The conference attracted more than 530 experts and scholars from 13 countries or regions, more than 50 overseas universities, more than 60 mainland universities and more than 20 domestic and foreign design consulting organizations. The conference presented 7 keynote speeches, 10 parallel forums, and an academic feast of nearly 300 academic exchange papers. In addition, the 6th International Forum of Urban and Rural Planning Dean/Chair of and Paper Writing Workshop were held.

The 12th IACP Annual Conference Opening Ceremony

The conference kicked off at 8:00 am on June 30 and was presided over by Professor Lei Zhendong, Executive Vice President of the School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. Professor Liu Xiaojun, President of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, President of the International Chinese Planning Association, Professor Song Yan from the University of North Carolina, Professor Wu Zhiqiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Vice President of Tongji University, respectively delivered opening speeches.

After the opening ceremony, Professor Ren Yunying, the director of the Urban and Rural Planning Department of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, chaired the keynote speech session. In the first half, the keynote speeches were given by Professor Wu Zhiqiang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Vice President of Tongji University, Professor Evelyn Blumenberg of Los Angeles, California, and Leo Shenzhen Ye Shunan, executive deputy general manager of Planning and Design Consulting Services Co., Ltd., and Professor Noreen McDonald, from the University of North Carolina. In the second half, the keynote speeches were given by Professor Shen Zhenjiang, Director of the School of Environmental Design at the National Kanazawa University, and Professor Frederick Steiner, Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, Professor Wang Shusheng, Vice President of Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology. The keynote speeches gave a wonderful report on major issues of concern to domestic and foreign planners.

Keynote Speeches

The follow-up parallel forum is divided into 6 agendas and 10 conference venues. Nearly 300 scholars presented their studies. The presentation topics included urbanization, urban security, urban culture, urban ecological environment, historical protection and renewal, public policy, public space, public transportation, future cities, high-speed rail era, Belt and Road research, and GIS.

The 12th IACP Annual Conference – Presentation

In the 6th International Forum of Urban and Rural Planning Dean/Chair, Dean and department heads of planning schools discussed four topics, including the combination of planning education and practice, international exchange and teaching practice in planning academic circles, planning discipline setting, talent training, and planning teaching research.

In the Writing Workshop, the journal editors and related experts of International Urban Planning, Planner, and Urban Planning Journal talked and discussed academic paper writing. The workshop provides an exchange platform between young scholars and professional journals at home and abroad, and enhances the ability of young scholars to publish articles in professional journals at home and abroad.

The annual conference, through the discussion of the development path of China’s urban and rural planning under the new normal and new globalization background, have constructed a platform for exchanges and discussions for scholars, planners and government managers from China and around the world and have received high praise and praise from the participating experts.