WDCC 2023 Future Design Summit

October 17,2023

Foreseeing the future and empowering cross-border innovation

The 2023 World Design Cities Conference hosted by the Shanghai Municipal Government kicked off on September 26th along Shanghai’s Huangpu River. With the theme of “Design Beyond Creativity”, the conference focused on future urban construction and development, and conducted discussions around global topics such as industry symbiosis, data-driven strategies, inclusiveness and equality, health and well-being, and net-zero emissions.

The Future Design Summit on the afternoon of September 26th was jointly sponsored by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Archplus Group, and organized by the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and East China Architectural Design Institute Co., Ltd. Municipal leaders and representatives of relevant government departments, university experts and scholars, industry representatives, social media representatives and more attended the event. The opening ceremony was moderated by Zeng Xiaoqin, Dean of the Office of Research Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The summit invited academicians and top experts from home and abroad to focus on five major industries through the topics of the futures of energy, health, materials, intelligence and space.

At the opening ceremony, Zhang Ansheng, Vice President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University pointed out that Shanghai Jiao Tong University has the attributes of being “comprehensive, innovative, and international” and makes outstanding contributions to the country and society. The university implements a strategy of “cross-innovation,” focuses on interdisciplinary research, breaks down disciplinary barriers, and promotes in-depth cooperation between design and technology, engineering, medicine and other fields. Since its establishment, the School of Design has focused on integrating the humanities, arts, science and technology, aiming to cultivate elite talent with leadership skills, global vision and truth-seeking spirit. The School has made remarkable achievements in the areas of professional development, research, social services, practice and internationalization. The School will continue to uphold the principle of “Hold dear both the substance and the instrument; advance humanity through the art of design.”, strengthen the cultivation of innovative design talent, and help Shanghai build a world-class “Design City”.

Future design cross-border cooperation

Representatives from government, universities and enterprises jointly launched the future design cross-border cooperation initiative, marking cross-border cooperation in the five major areas of future energy, future health, future materials, future intelligence, and future space, thus promoting a strong impetus for future industrial development.

Five major industries, world leading scholars, in-depth exchange, and insight into the future

Ruan Xing served as the academic curator and convener of the summit. Experts attending focused on design empowerment and cross-border innovation, discussing cutting-edge issues in future industrial advancement and urban development.

Huang Zhen, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference delivered a keynote report entitled “Energy Green Transformation under the Goal of Carbon Neutrality”. He emphasized that as the world pays increasing attention to the issue of climate change, carbon neutrality has become a common goal of all countries. In this context, the greening of energy has become one of the key measures to solve climate change and achieve sustainable urban development.

Anders Lindquist, internationally renowned control theory expert, and foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences gave a lecture entitled “What is the Role of Mathematical Science in Innovation and Industrial Development?” He emphasized the vital role of mathematical science in promoting innovation and assisting industrial development. With the continuous evolution of science and technology, basic mathematical algorithms and design are inseparable. Especially in the product development and optimization process, mathematical science and design are decisive. He provided new perspectives and ideas for research in the field of mathematical sciences in design innovation , provided new leverage for China’s technological innovation and industrial development, and also served as a helpful reference for cooperation between global science and industry.

Yang Guangzhong, academician of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the International Federation of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (FIEEE) gave a keynote report titled “Future Cities and Disappearing Robots”. By introducing the experimental cases of Imperial College London’s Hamline surgical robot and Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s medical robot, he emphasized that robots play an important role in future cities. Design will enable the application of robots in transportation, medical and other fields, and improve the city’s level of intelligence while optimizing living experience. Driven by design and technology, we can jointly create a more humane, prosperous and livable future city.

1. Alexander Schmidt, academician of the German Academy of Sciences, and founding partner of SBA GmbH, delivered a keynote on “An Urban Design Plan - What It Is – Why We Need It – How to Develop It.” He mentioned the key role of urban design planning in urban development. Such design is not constituted by a simple design drawing, but requires a careful conception of the future of the city, covering all aspects such as transportation, housing, and greening. He stressed that the development of urban design planning needs to comprehensively consider socio-economic and humanistic factors, listen to the demands of citizens, be guided by the concept of sustainable development, and strive to improve the quality of life of residents, create a livable environment, and become a powerful engine for urban development.

The keynote address was titled “Innovation-Driven Progress – the Constraints and Boundaries of Design Innovation” by Jiang Huancheng academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, national engineering survey and design master, and senior chief engineer of Huajian Group. The speech emphasized the key role of design innovation in promoting development. He pointed out that to constantly think about all aspects of seismic resistance and design innovation of building structures, it is necessary to break through traditional frameworks. At the same time, he called on all attendees to continue to work hard to create an innovative ecosystem.

Michael Edward Meadows, President of the International Geographical Union (IGU), Academician of the European Academy of Sciences, Royal South African Academy of Sciences gave a keynote report titled “Sustainability of Shanghai's coastal environments? Challenges and prospects”. He discussed the balance between environmental protection and economic development in Shanghai in the Anthropocene era. He then called for the realization of sustainable development goals through advanced design concepts, such as green infrastructure and smart city planning in order to jointly create a prosperous future for the Anthropocene.

Akira Wada, honorary professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, and scientist in the field of international building seismic reduction control delivered a keynote speech titled “Loving People, Respecting Nature, and Building Resilient Cities”. By sharing successful cases and valuable experiences in earthquake engineering in Japan, he emphasized the importance of integrating earthquake protection measures into building design. His approach advocated taking human friendship as the starting point, respecting nature, adapting to nature, and jointly building a resilient society.

Michele Bonino, Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at Politecnico di Torino, Italy delivered a keynote speech titled “Eurasian Cooperation: Innovating Architecture and Urban Design”. He combined Italian landmark architecture to share his insights on innovative design and urban planning, and took Shanghai as an example to discuss the role of innovative architecture in urban design and planning. Through Eurasian cross-cultural cooperation, we can jointly promote urban development, achieve sustainable prosperity, and create a livable urban environment for people.

In addition, through the perspective of integrated design and multi-disciplinary integration, the summit launched two roundtable discussions on the themes of “Future Industry and Cities” and “Future Cities and Architecture”, presenting the participants with a wealth of intellectual exchange.

Editor on Duty: Yan Cheng