Chinese Gardens · Industry News | 2024 MOE Landscape Architecture Steering Committee Conference and the 9th Forum on Landscape Sustainability Science Successfully Held in Nanjing

From May 10 to 12, 2024, the Ministry of Education Landscape Architecture Teaching Guidance Committee Conference and the 9th Landscape Sustainability Science Forum was held in Nanjing, China. The conference was jointly organized by the Landscape Architecture Teaching Guidance Sub-committee of the Higher Education Architecture Teaching Guidance Committee under the Ministry of Education, the Landscape Sustainability Science Forum Series Academic Committee, the Resource Sustainable Utilization and Disaster Reduction Committee of the China Natural Resources Society, and Nanjing Agricultural University. It was hosted by the College of Horticulture and the College of Public Administration at Nanjing Agricultural University, with support from the Key Laboratory of Landscape Horticulture under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Rural Land Resource Utilization and Renovation, among others. The co-chairs of the conference were Yang Rui, Director of the Landscape Architecture Teaching Guidance Committee and Professor at Tsinghua University; Shi Peijun, Professor at Beijing Normal University; and Wu Jianguo, Professor at Arizona State University. Over 600 experts, young scholars, and student representatives from four continents worldwide attended the conference.

Group Photo of Attending Guests

Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony Scene

The conference was held under the theme “Landscape Sustainability, Natural Resource Governance, and Landscape Architecture Planning and Design.” Chen Fadi, President of Nanjing Agricultural University; Shi Peijun, Co-Chair of the Forum’s Academic Committee and Professor at Beijing Normal University; Yang Rui, Director of the Landscape Architecture Education Steering Committee and Professor at Tsinghua University; and Wu Jianguo, Professor at Arizona State University (in order of their addresses), each delivered speeches at the conference. The opening ceremony was hosted by Chen Sumei, Dean of the College of Horticulture at Nanjing Agricultural University.

Guest Speakers

Chen Fadi

President of Nanjing Agricultural University

President Chen Fadi delivered a welcome speech on behalf of Nanjing Agricultural University. He introduced the university’s educational development and pointed out that the university has always adhered to the fundamental mission of fostering virtue and nurturing talents, taken it as its responsibility to strengthen agriculture and revitalize rural areas, and been guided by high-quality development. It has made extensive and fruitful explorations in areas such as ecological restoration, landscape planning, and agricultural cultural heritage. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the guiding role of the National Landscape Architecture Education Steering Committee Conference and the Landscape Sustainability Science Forum within the industry, and expressed hope that the successful hosting of this conference would inject new momentum into the development of landscape architecture and add new impetus to the realization of sustainable development goals.

Shi Peijun

Professor at Beijing Normal University

Professor Shi Peijun pointed out in his speech that the Conference of the Steering Committee for Landscape Architecture Education under the Ministry of Education is a leading event to promote the innovative development of landscape architecture education and the profession in China. It aims to timely integrate relevant multidisciplinary innovative findings and cutting-edge theories into the advancement of the landscape architecture discipline and profession. The conference has been successfully held twice, in 2019 and 2021, generating a positive and widespread impact within the industry. He expressed his hope that through the successful convening of this year’s conference, it will continue to lead the cutting-edge exploration of the development of the landscape architecture discipline in the new era.

Yang Rui
Director of the Landscape Architecture Education Steering Committee
Professor at Tsinghua University

Professor Yang Rui introduced the significance of this conference using the keywords “Integration” and “Enrichment.” He pointed out that “Integration” refers to the joint collaboration between the Ministry of Education’s Landscape Architecture Education Steering Committee and the Landscape Sustainability Science Forum for the first time. It embodies the methodological “synthesis” proposed by Academician Wu Liangyong of Tsinghua University, reflects the trend of interdisciplinary integration and multidisciplinary collaboration, addresses the need to bridge theory and practice, and meets the demand for exchanging ideas and experiences at home and abroad. “Enrichment” means that landscape architecture must integrate with cutting-edge theories to deepen its disciplinary foundation and enhance its depth, while also being reflected in the diverse and vibrant content of this conference.

Wu Jianguo

Professor at Arizona State University

Professor Wu Jianguo introduced the goals of the Landscape Sustainability Forum, hoping to provide a platform for higher-level intellectual exchange on the theoretical development of landscape sustainability science. He emphasized that this forum will focus on topics such as sustainability, resilience, vulnerability, ecosystem services, land system design and modeling, as well as human well-being, for discussion and deliberation. He also expressed anticipation that the academic achievements and practical experiences shared by attending experts and scholars will contribute to building a beautiful Jiangsu where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

Host

Chen Sumei

Dean of the College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University

Book Donation Ceremony

At the opening ceremony, the Architecture and Building Press donated new textbooks and books on landscape architecture and related fields. Professor Yang Rui and Hu Yongxu, head of the Architecture and Building Press, presented the books, while Dean Chen Sumei and Feng Shuyi, Dean of the School of Public Administration at Nanjing Agricultural University, accepted them.

Book Donation Ceremony

This conference features keynote reports, sub-forums on landscape architecture education and sustainable landscape science, core curriculum training for landscape architecture, and face-to-face exchange sessions with editors-in-chief of international journals.

Keynote Reports

←Keynote Report Scene (Swipe Left or Right to View)→

The keynote reports were divided into five sessions, chaired by Gao Chi, Party Secretary of Huazhong Agricultural University; Zhang Dayu, President of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture; He Chunyang, Professor at Beijing Normal University; Professor Wu Jianguo; and Professor Yang Rui. Sixteen renowned scholars from both domestic and international institutions delivered insightful presentations. These scholars include Professor Wu Jianguo, Professor Niall Kirkwood from Harvard University, Professor Cristian Echeverria from the University of Concepción in Chile, Professor James Reed from the Center for International Forestry Research in Indonesia, Researcher Yang Guishan from Hohai University / Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Researcher Ouyang Zhiyun from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Researcher Liu Yansui from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Du Chunlan from Chongqing University, Professor Cheng Yuning from Southeast University, Professor Zheng Xi from Beijing Forestry University, Professor Peng Jian from Peking University, Professor Peter Petschek from Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences, Professor Jürgen Weidinger from Technical University of Berlin, Associate Professor Jiangxiao Qiu from the University of Florida, Associate Professor Zheng Xiaodi from Tsinghua University, and Professor Ouweixin from Nanjing Agricultural University. Their presentation topics are as follows:

Landscape Sustainability Science and Regional Planning: Theories and Practices Ottawa County Futures: Landscape Sustainability, Environmental Legacies and Design Alternatives Landscape Sustainability: A Compass for Guiding Our Future Lessons from Operationalizing Integrated Landscape Approaches Ecological Function Zoning and Protection Compensation in the Yangtze River Delta Spatial Patterns of Biodiversity and Construction of Protected Area System in China Human-Environment System Science and Geographic Engineering Practice Local Insights: Planning and Design Pathways for Achieving Mountain Landscape Sustainability Ecological Logic of Integrated Urban Blue-Green Space Planning Pathways for Building Low-Carbon Blue-Green Spaces Ecological Security Patterns: Nine Key Issues Sustainability and Nature-Based Solutions in a Site Engineering Shelter Project - Landscape Architecture Can Play an Important Role Bridging Design Practice and Scientific Research PEP - the Design-Based Doctorate Program at TU Berlin Multifunctionality of Spatially Connected Grassland-Wetland Mosaic in an Era of Global Changes Ecological Dimensions of Brownfields: From Macro to Micro From Ecosystem Services to Sustainability: Three Assessment Pathways

Chairpersons

Gao Chi
Party Secretary of Huazhong Agricultural UniversityZhang Dayu
President of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and ArchitectureHe Chunyang

Professor at Beijing Normal UniversityWu Jianguo

Professor at Arizona State University, USAYang Rui
Professor at Tsinghua University
Keynote SpeakerWu Jianguo

Professor at Arizona State University, USANiall Kirkwood

Professor at Harvard University, USACristian Echeverria (Online)

Professor at the University of Concepción, ChileJames Reed

Professor at the Center for International Forestry Research, IndonesiaYang Guishan

Researcher at Hohai University / Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of SciencesOuyang Zhiyun
Researcher at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of SciencesLiu Yansui

Researcher at the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesDu Chunlan

Professor at Chongqing UniversityCheng Yuning

Professor at Southeast UniversityZheng Xi

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityPeng Jian

Professor at Peking UniversityPeter Petschek
Professor at the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern SwitzerlandJürgen Weidinger

Professor at Technical University of Berlin, GermanyJiangxiao Qiu

Associate Professor at the University of Florida, USAZheng Xiaodi

Associate Professor, Tsinghua UniversityOu Weixin

Professor at Nanjing Agricultural University

Sub-forum

In the sub-forum on Landscape Architecture Education and Landscape Sustainability Science, 53 experts and scholars from fields such as landscape architecture, land resource management, and landscape ecology—both domestic and international—engaged in in-depth discussions around six themes: “Innovation in Teaching and Education of Landscape Architecture Theory and History,” “Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, and Landscape Architecture Education,” “Industry-Education Integration in Landscape Architecture for Rural Revitalization,” “Artificial Intelligence and Innovation in Landscape Architecture Education,” “Landscape Architecture Education and Practice for Public Health,” and “Landscape Sustainability Science.”

Sub-forum 1: Innovation in Teaching and Education of Landscape Architecture Theory and History in the New Era

Moderator****Zhu Yufan

Professor at Tsinghua UniversityHan Feng

Professor at Tongji University

Speaker****Liu Song

Professor at Tongji UniversityQiu Bing

Professor at Nanjing Forestry UniversityZhang Chunyan

Professor at Tianjin UniversityWang Xin

Professor at Zhejiang A&F UniversityLiu Chunqing

Professor at Jiangxi Agricultural UniversityMao Huasong

Professor at Chongqing UniversityDuan Jianqiang

Professor at Inner Mongolia University of TechnologyZhao Jijun

Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Sub-Forum 2: Climate Change, Biodiversity Conservation, and Landscape Architecture Education

Moderator****Chen Qibing

Professor of Sichuan Agricultural UniversityDing Shaogang

Professor at Nanjing Agricultural University

Guest Speaker****Wang Xiangrong

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityWang Yuncai

Professor at Tongji UniversityDai Fei
Professor at Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyLi Feng
Professor, Tsinghua UniversityTian Guoxing

Professor at Henan Agricultural UniversityChe Shengquan

Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityWang Zhifang

Peking University ResearcherLi Hui

Professor, South China Agricultural University

Sub-forum 3: Landscape Architecture Industry-Education Integration Practice for Rural Revitalization Strategy

Moderator****Wan Min

Professor at Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWang Jinghong

Professor at Northeast Forestry University

Report Speaker****Zhu Ling

Professor at Tianjin UniversityZhang Bin

Professor at Huazhong Agricultural UniversityLi Xianfeng

Professor, China Agricultural UniversityBian A’na

Professor at Minnan Normal UniversityWang Yun
Professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityBai Hua
Professor at Chang’an UniversityWei Jiaxing
Professor at Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLei Yakai
Professor at Henan Agricultural University

Sub-forum 4: Artificial Intelligence and Innovations in Landscape Architecture Education

Moderator****Xu Dawei

Professor at Northeast Forestry UniversityLiu Hui
Professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology

Speaker****Hongbo

Professor at Northwest A&F UniversityHu Yike

Professor at Tianjin UniversityZhao Zhicong

Associate Professor, Tsinghua UniversityYue Bangrui

Professor at Xi’an University of Architecture and TechnologyGao Wei

Professor at South China Agricultural UniversityZhao Jing

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityLi Zhe
Professor, Southeast UniversityZhang Mingjuan Associate Professor, Nanjing Agricultural University

Sub-Forum 5: Landscape Architecture Education and Practice for Public Health

Moderator****Jin Hexian

Professor at Zhejiang A&F UniversityLin Guangsi

Professor at South China University of Technology

Keynote Speaker****Li Shuhua

Professor at Tsinghua UniversityChen Sumei

Professor at Nanjing Agricultural UniversityLi Xi
Professor at Sichuan Agricultural UniversityFeng Xianhui
Professor at South China University of TechnologyZhao Bing
Professor at Nanjing Forestry UniversityQiu Ling

Professor at Northwest A&F UniversityYu Yang

Associate Professor, Harbin Institute of TechnologyYing Jun
Associate Professor at Zhejiang A&F University

Session 6: Youth Forum on Landscape Sustainability Science

Chairperson****Guo Jie
Professor at Nanjing Agricultural UniversityGan Xiaoyu

Lecturer at Sichuan UniversityHu Guohua

Associate Professor at East China Normal University

Speaker****Fang Xuening

Professor at Shanghai Normal UniversityWang Jieyong

Professor, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of SciencesHuang Qingxu

Professor at Beijing Normal UniversityWu Longfeng

Professor at Peking UniversityLu Huang

Professor at Zhejiang UniversityBian Zhenxing

Professor at Shenyang Agricultural UniversityLeng Xin

Professor at Nanjing UniversityLiu Zhifeng

Professor at Beijing Normal UniversityCao Qian
Professor, China University of Geosciences

Core Curriculum Training in Landscape Architecture

The conference evening also featured a core curriculum training session for landscape architecture, which invited instructors from universities with agricultural, engineering, and forestry backgrounds. Sixteen teachers delivered lectures and engaged in discussions on teaching design, methods, and content, focusing on four areas: “Digital Curriculum Development in Landscape Architecture,” “History and Theory Teaching in Landscape Architecture from a Research and Design Perspective,” “Ecology and Plant Courses,” and “Landscape Architecture Planning and Design: Rural Planning and Design for Rural Revitalization.”

Teaching Training 1: Digital Curriculum Development in Landscape Architecture

Organizer: Virtual Teaching and Research Office, Tsinghua University

Moderators

Zhang Qingping
Professor, Nanjing Forestry University

Guo Yong
Associate Professor, Tsinghua University

Guest SpeakersLiu Song
Professor at Tongji UniversityGuo Yong

Associate Professor at Tsinghua UniversityDong Zefeng (Online)

Senior Engineer, Shanghai Landscape Architecture (Group) Co., Ltd.

Teaching and Training 2: Teaching Landscape Architecture History and Theory from the Perspectives of Research and Design

Organizer: Virtual Teaching and Research Office of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University

Moderators

Wang Xiangrong

Professor, Beijing Forestry University

Shao Jian

Professor, China Academy of Art

Guest Speakers****Zhu Yufan
Professor at Tsinghua UniversityGu Kai

Associate Professor, Southeast UniversityZhao Jing

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityHuang Xiao

Associate Professor at Beijing Forestry University

Teaching Training 3: Ecology and Botany Courses

Organizer: Virtual Teaching and Research Office of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Moderators

Dong Jianwen

Professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Bao Zhiyi

Professor at Zhejiang A&F University

Guest Speakers****Dong Li

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityLi Feng
Professor at Tsinghua UniversityPeng Donghui
Professor, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University

Teaching and Training Session 4: Landscape Architecture Planning and Design – Rural Planning and Design for Rural Revitalization Strategy

Organizer: Department of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Agricultural University

Moderators

Zheng Wenjun
Professor, Guilin University of Technology

Zhang Qinghai
Associate Professor, Nanjing Agricultural University

Guest Speakers****Chen Jian
Lecturer at South China University of TechnologyZhang Yunlu

Professor at Beijing Forestry UniversityWang Haibin
Professor at Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySu Tongxiang
Associate Professor, Nanjing Forestry University

Face-to-Face with International Journal Editors
Academic Exchange Meeting

During the Face-to-Face with International Journal Editors session, Professor Wu Jianguo, Editor-in-Chief of Landscape Ecology and Dean’s Distinguished Professor at the School of Life Sciences and the Global Institute of Sustainability Science, Arizona State University, was invited as the keynote speaker. The meeting was chaired by Professor Ou Weixin from the School of Public Administration, Nanjing Agricultural University. Editor-in-Chief Wu Jianguo discussed and exchanged ideas with the attending faculty and students on writing and submitting scientific papers.Host: Ouyang Weixin

Professor at Nanjing Agricultural UniversitySpeaker: Wu Jianguo

Professor at Arizona State University, USA

At the closing ceremony of the conference, co-chairs Professor Yang Rui and Professor Wu Jianguo delivered the conference summary, and the flag handover ceremony for the next hosting institution was held.

This conference was the first joint event between the Ministry of Education’s Landscape Architecture Teaching Steering Committee and the 9th Landscape Sustainability Science Forum. Centered around the theme “Landscape Sustainability, Natural Resource Governance, and Landscape Architecture Planning and Design,” academic discussions were held. International editors’ face-to-face activities broadened academic horizons, training courses fostered in-depth teaching exchanges, and sub-forums built academic platforms. This conference was a grand event integrating teaching innovation, academic exchange, and practical exploration, promoting the deep integration and innovative development of landscape architecture and landscape sustainability science.

Text/Xiong Xing, Cong Xin, Wen Xiaoyu, Shi Ting (proofreading)

Photos/Courtesy of the conference team

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Editor & Layout | Li Min

Reviewer | Jin Hexian