Research and Conferences

• Identifying best international practice and assessing how the experiences and lessons can be learnt and applied

• Carrying out bespoke research for public and private sectors, covering planning system comparison, new town development, rural regeneration, healthy town planning, community building, eco-masterplanning, smart cities and economic growth

• Organising international conferences/ symposiums for the above research themes

2019

Reinventing Agriculture and Rural Regeneration through Town Development: An International Perspective

Research contents: the rise, fall and revival of English countryside | post-modern agriculture |sustainable local food supply system | agriculture and food systems in UK Garden Cities| case studies of large-scale organic/ biodynamic farms in the UK and Europe

Working with: Royal Agriculture University, Dreiseitl Consulting, Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation

Conference: The Third China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Wu Town, Nov. 2019

Healthy Town Planning

Research contents: health risks in the world and China, determinants of health, incorporating health with spatial planning, principles to plan healthy towns, key elements to build healthy places, community health care services and smart technology in healthcare

Working with: Town and Country Planning Association

Conference: The Third China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Wu Town, Nov. 2019

Building Child-Friendly Towns: Lessons & Insights from around the World

Research contents understanding Western people’s opinions on education | defining child-friendly town in planning | the importance of play, facilities, places and services in the town to support children’s growth trajectory |co-create with children| how to face risks and seek out inspiration

Working with: UK’s leading child-friendly planning expert Tim Gill (leading the research and presentation)

Conference: The Third China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Wu Town, Nov. 2019

Happy senior care philosophy and practice: Case study from Apartment for Life in the Netherlands

Presentation contents: The philosophy of happy senior care | core beliefs of the happiness care: ‘self-care and you are your own boss’, ‘use it or lost it’, ‘extended family’ and ‘Yes culture’| management of the Apartment of Life | medical care model under happiness philosophy

Conference presentation by Dr. Han Becker, world’s senior care expert and happy senior care promotor

Conference: The Third China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Wu Town, Nov. 2019

2018

Business and Economy Management of Letchworth Garden City

Research contents: business and economy development in Letchworth over the past century | long-term town management from LGCHF | current management for industry, commercial activities and town centre, agriculture and environment, and other activities to enhance the attractiveness and vitality of the town

Working with: Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation, International Garden City Institute

Conference: The Second China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Lin’an, March 2018

Building Real Smart City for People

Research contents:

• Think Big: Explain why we need Smarter Urbanisation

• Know what works: Illustrate six case studies—Copenhagen, Singapore, Freiburg, Vienna, Grenoble, and Cambridge--- where smart technologies are adding value

• Start Small：Examine different technologies, hard and soft

• Scale Fast: Recommend what ‘Smart towns’ should do, namely smart planning, smart finance, smart infrastructure, smart building and smart management

Working with: The Urbed Trust, The University of Manchester

Conference: The Second China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Lin’an, March 2018

Agriculture and Town Development

Research contents: large-scale modern agriculture in the Netherlands | community supported agriculture (CSA) in the UK | food production structure and output values |technical innovation, smart farming and IoT and block chain applications| supply chain, logistics, sales and marketing | EU and national agricultural policy implications | circular economy | urban and peri-urban agriculture

Working with: Royal Agriculture University

Conference: The Second China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Lin’an, March 2018

Renewable Energy and Eco-masterplanning for Towns

Research contents: eco-city masterplanning strategies | life style and land use | circular economy | blue-green infrastructure | cases projects for rural-urban ecosystems, climate responsive town, city of renewable energies and smart grid

Conference presentation by German leading eco-masterplanner Prof. Jochim Eble, founder of EMP Architektur

Conference: The Second China-UK Bluetown and Greentown Ideal Town Conference, Lin’an, March 2018

Community Trust: Building a Sustainable Community

Research contents: explaining how to develop and run a community trust by the cases of Letchworth and Graylingwell |visions and objectives | benefits to the community | governance and management | business model

Forum presentation by UK’s leading community trust consultant Mark Patchett

Client: Luxelake eco city, Chengdu Wanhua Investment Group

Conference: Urban Forum in Luxelake 2019 Creative Event