About BURP
The Branch of Urban and Regional Planning (BURP) is a critical institution dedicated to addressing the multifaceted challenges of urbanization, sustainable development, and equitable spatial growth. As cities and regions face unprecedented pressures from population growth, climate change, and resource constraints, BURP plays a pivotal role in shaping livable, resilient, and inclusive communities through evidence-based planning and innovative solutions. Its work ensures the harmonious integration of economic, social, and environmental priorities in spatial development.
- Key Importance of BURP:
- Sustainable Urbanization: BURP promotes balanced urban growth by mitigating urban sprawl, reducing environmental footprints, and enhancing resource efficiency.
- Resilience and Adaptation: It addresses climate risks and disaster management by integrating resilience into land-use planning and infrastructure design.
- Social Equity: BURP advocates for inclusive planning to ensure access to housing, transportation, and public services for all socioeconomic groups.
- Economic Vitality: By optimizing land use and infrastructure networks, BURP supports regional economic competitiveness and job creation.
- Policy Integration: It bridges gaps between local, regional, and national policies to foster coordinated development.
- Core Business Activities:
- Research and Innovation:
- Conducting studies on urban dynamics, regional disparities, and emerging trends (e.g., smart cities, transit-oriented development).
- Developing planning tools and models to simulate urbanization scenarios and assess policy impacts.
- Policy Development and Advocacy:
- Advising governments on land-use zoning, transportation planning, housing policies, and green infrastructure.
- Promoting compact city models and sustainable urban design standards.
- Capacity Building and Education:
- Offering training programs for planners, policymakers, and stakeholders on modern planning techniques (e.g., GIS, participatory planning).
- Collaborating with universities to advance academic curricula in urban and regional planning.
- Community Engagement:
- Facilitating public consultations to incorporate community voices into planning processes.
- Designing participatory frameworks for slum upgrading, heritage conservation, and neighborhood revitalization.
- Data-Driven Planning:
- Leveraging big data, remote sensing, and AI to monitor urban growth patterns and infrastructure needs.
- Creating spatial databases to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration:
- Partnering with architects, engineers, environmentalists, and private sectors to implement integrated development projects.
- Engaging in global networks (e.g., UN-Habitat) to share best practices and align with international sustainability goals like the SDGs.
- Climate Action and Green Planning:
- Designing low-carbon cities through renewable energy integration, green corridors, and circular economy principles.
- Advancing adaptation strategies such as flood-resilient infrastructure and heat mitigation plans.
In summary, the Branch of Urban and Regional Planning (BURP) is indispensable in navigating the complexities of 21st-century urbanization. Through its multidisciplinary approach, it ensures that cities and regions evolve as engines of prosperity while safeguarding ecological integrity and social equity for future generations.
Urban and Regional Planning Branch recommended list of the 1st council members
（Adopted at the First Session of the First Council of the Urban and Regional Planning Branch, International Association of Natural Resources, on March 27, 2026）
（In alphabet）
Honorary Council Chairman
Ewe Hong TAT: President/CEO of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Malaysia and the President and Fellow of the ASEAN Academy of Engineering and Technology, and also serves as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia
Pietro Elisei : Senior Researcher, Adj. Prof, University of Tor Vergata, Faculty of Economics,GDA (gdeas.org) Global Design Association, President
Chairman
Lü Bin : Professor, School of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University
Vice Chairman
Bian Lanchun : Professor, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Lee Seok-hyun : President, Korea Urban Design Association; Professor, Department of Design, Housing and Interior Design Major, Chung-Ang University
Ling Kar-kan : Vice President and Professor, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Shi Tiemao : Professor, Shenyang Jianzhu University
Zhang Wenzhong: Vice President, Urban Planning Society of China; Researcher, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Secretary-General
Wang Xiujun: Vice President of Western China Green Development Research Institute,Executive Director of the YuanYe Awards Organizing Committee
Standing Directors
Chen Tian : Professor, School of Architecture, Tianjin University
Chu Jinlong : Dean and Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, Anhui Jianzhu University
Cui Xu : Dean and Professor, School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University
Fan Lingyun : Director and Professor, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology
Fan Yue : Foreign Member of Japan Academy of Engineering, Dean and Distinguished Professor, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shenzhen University
Han Haoying : Executive Vice Dean and Professor, Institute of Urban and Sustainable Development, City University of Macau
Leng Hong : Professor, Director of Key Laboratory, School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology
Li Chi : Professor and Department Head, Department of Planning, Beijing Forestry University
Li Chunlin : Researcher, Shenyang Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Luo Xiaolong : Deputy Dean and Professor, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University
Qian Caiyun :Dean and Professor, School of Architecture, Soochow University
Shen Guoqiang : Head of Department and Chair Professor, School of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University
Tang Yan : Deputy Party Secretary, Director of the Department of Urban Planning and Professor, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Wu Wenjie : Dean and Professor, School of Urban Design, Wuhan University
Xia Haishan : Professor and Chairman of Academic Committee, School of Architecture and Art, Beijing Jiaotong University
Xiu Chunliang : Professor, School of Architecture, Northeastern University
Yan Wentao : Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Yang Jianqiang : Professor, School of Architecture, Southeast University
Zhou Guohua : Dean and Professor, School of Geographical Sciences, Hunan Normal University
Zhu Li : Assistant Dean and Professor, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Fuzhou University
Directors
Chen Chen : Vice Dean and Tenured Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Chen Na : Associate Dean and Associate Professor, School of Government and Public Affairs, Sun Yat-sen University
Fu Shilei : Dean and Professor, Institute of Ecological Planning and Green Building, Shenyang Jianzhu University
Ha Jing : Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, Shenyang Jianzhu University
Jian Qingming : Deputy Director and Associate Professor, Department of Urban and Rural Planning, School of Architecture, Tianjin University
Jeffrey Yap Boon Hui : Professor of Project Management, LKC FES, Tunku Abdul Rahman
Lee Hyunsung : Associate Professor, Public Design Major, Department of Industrial Design, Hongik University
Li Jing : Director of the Practice Center and Associate Professor, North China University of Technology
Li Sui : Professor, School of Architecture, Northeastern University
Liang Yutian : Vice Dean and Professor, Regional and Country Studies Institute, Sun Yat-sen University
Lin Yuming : Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Lu Jia : Director, Shenzhen Planning and Land Development Research Center
Miao Chunping : Professor, School of Architecture, Chang’an University
Shi Yu : Associate Professor, School of Design and Art, Shenyang Jianzhu University
Wang Guiqin : Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Art Design, Hunan University of Science and Technology
Wang Xin : Vice Dean and Associate Professor, School of Architecture and Art, Beijing Jiaotong University
Xie Yingting : Professor-level Senior Planner, Xiamen Urban Planning and Design Institute
Hyung Hyung-chir : Research Fellow, Housing & Urban Guarantee Corporation
Yi Xiaoxiang : Department Head and Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Harbin Institute of Technology
Yu Hanwu : Dean and Professor, School of Architecture and Design, Hunan University of Science and Technology
Zhang Chun : Professor, School of Architecture and Art, Beijing Jiaotong University
Zhang Yuanjing : President and Senior Engineer, Zhejiang University Urban – Rural Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Zhao Min : Department Head and Professor, School of Architecture and Planning, Yunnan University
Zhou Guoyan : Professor, Gold Mantis School of Architecture, Soochow University
Zhu Feng : Deputy General Manager, Planning Division, Shenzhen Baoan Design Group Co., Ltd.
Zhu Gaoru : Professor, School of Architecture and Art, Beijing Jiaotong University
Under construction
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