Liu Lianwei (R), deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, hands Professor Chen Bing of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University an invitation as a visiting lecturer to commemorate his lecture given on December 10, 2020. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Chen Bing, an associate professor of the Design School of the Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), gave a lecture on contemporary urban and rural planning at the HNU-ASU Joint International Tourism College (HAITC) on December 10, 2020.

The lecture was one of the series of activities themed on the principles of urban and rural planning held by the HAITC in the short winter semester.

Chen is head of the graduate program of urban planning at the XJTLU. He has doctoral and postdoctoral degrees in architecture from the University of Sheffield, and has been awarded a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

He also has extensive experience in architectural design, urban planning and strategic research and consulting in sustainable development in both China and the UK.

Chen Bing, an associate professor of XJTLU's Design School, gives a lecture on current urban and rural planning on December 10, 2020. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

A fascinated audience listens to the lecture on December 10, 2020. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Chen first introduced the concept of "city" by inspiring students to explore the relationship between tourism and the overall impressions a city might give, where "city" is an integration of life and production.

Taking Suzhou in Jiangsu province as a model, he underlined the importance of protecting the ancient city's features in the continuous development of urban modernization, and noted that Suzhou has successfully protected its historical and cultural features by setting building height restrictions.

Urban planning is a forward-looking and instructive step, Chen said, adding that apart from a city's plan and blueprint, attention must be paid to resilience in making future changes.

A student asks a question at the lecture on December 10, 2020. [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Chen also emphasized the significance of establishing and improving systems and mechanisms of urban and rural integrated development and achieving rural revitalization. He shared his experience of organizing students to carry out practical activities in rural areas, as well as his views on rural planning.

Teachers and students at the lecture [Photo/haitc.hainanu.edu.cn]

Chen rationally analyzed the questions raised by the students and expressed his detailed opinions, bringing a wonderful ending to the communicative lecture.