The 2nd XJTLU-UNNC Conference 2026 / The 7th UNNC Symposium on Architecture and Urbanism 2026: Future Human Habitat in the era of AI

The 2^nd XJTLU-UNNC Conference 2026

The 7^th UNNC Symposium on Architecture and Urbanism 2026

Future Human Habitat in the era of AI

Date: 6-7, Jun. 2026

Venue: SIP Campus, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), Suzhou

Design School (DES) at XJTLU is excited to announce our upcoming conference on “Future Human Habitat in the era of AI”, in collaboration with Human-centered Sustainable Interaction Research Center and Department of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE) at University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC), School of Architecture at Tsinghua University, College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, School of Architecture at Southeast University, School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Suzhou University of Science and Technology, School of Architecture at Soochow University, Journal of China City Planning Review (CCPR), and Journal of GUIHUA: Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning (FURP).

The conference invites researchers, scholars, and professionals to submit abstracts for presentations in four exciting themes. We seek your innovative insights into the future human habitat in the era of AI.

The following themes reflect a broad, interdisciplinary approach to the conference topic, with focuses on sustainability, informatics, entrepreneurship & management, and social inclusion.

Theme 1: Sustainability

The sub-themes of sustainability help navigate the challenges of urbanisation and climate change, enhance the quality of life for residents, and benefit all members of society. Submissions are invited but not limited to the following areas:

• Optimise energy consumption, or reduce carbon footprints;
• Prioritise green infrastructure, or promote biodiversity;
• Promote eco-friendly architecture, or enhance sustainable materials

Theme 2:  Informatics

The sub-themes of informatics refer to the systematic collection, analysis, and application of data to improve urban living and resource management that cater to the needs of local residents. Submissions are invited but not limited to the following areas:

• Innovations in smart cities, or efficient public transportation systems;
• Integration of sensors, IoT devices, or AI algorithms;
• Drive the development of intelligent systems in an increasingly complex urban/rural landscape;
• New planning paradigms in the HAI (Human-AI) era: urban intelligence reshaping knowledge, methods, and practices (GUIHUA: Frontiers of Urban and Rural PlanningSpecial Session)

Theme 3:  Entrepreneurship & Management

The sub-themes of entrepreneurship & management involve exploring how innovative business practices and effective management can help shape sustainable and adaptive built environments. Submissions are invited but not limited to the following areas:

• Foster economic growth, and create resilient communities;
• Simulate economic activities, and encourage collaboration among diverse stakeholders;
• Gain insights into consumer behaviour, operational efficiency, and market trends

Theme 4:  Social inclusion

The sub-themes of social inclusion refer to the intentional design and implementation of systems that ensure all individuals, regardless of their background, abilities, or socio-economic status, have equal access to opportunities, resources, and services. Submissions are invited but not limited to the following areas:

• Enable data-driven insights that identify and address disparities within urban-rural areas;
• Foster social equity, or community engagement;
• Prioritise social cohesion and resilience;
• Mobile workshop: Urban history and heritage (by UNNC and XJTLU TBC)

Keynote Speakers (TBC)

• Academician Zhiqiang Wu, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
• Pengjun Zhao, School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University; Editor-in-Chief of Cities
• Dave Shaw, University of Liverpool, Nanjing University, Changjiang Chair Professor
• JianLiu, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Secretary General of the Asian Universities Alliance
• Yan Tang, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Youth Changjiang Scholar
• Hui Chi Man Eddie, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong, Editor-in-Chief, Habitat International
• Wu Deng, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, UNNC
• Pro Xingxing Zhang, School of Information and Engineering, Dalarna University
• DeoPrasad, University of New South Wales, Academician of Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering

Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: 15^th 2026
• Acceptance Notice:20^th 2026
• Conference Dates: 6-7^th 2026
• Registration Deadline: 20^thMay 2026
• Early Bird Registration Deadline: 6^thMay 2026

Registration Fees

• Student Registration: 200RMB
• Early Bird Student Registration: 100RMB
• Regular Registration: 600RMB
• Early Bird Regular Registration: 300RMB

The registration fee covers conference costs, refreshments, and lunch.

Submission Guideline

Please submit your abstract (maximum 400 words) using the provided template to UPD@xjtlu.edu.cn

Conference language: English

Presentation format: Oral presentation only (10 minutes pre + 5 minutes Q&A)

Publication Opportunities

Proposals on relevant special issues have been submitted to the following journals:

• Cities
• China City Planning Review
• Journal of GUIHUA: Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning (FURP)
• Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
• Journal of Urban Management
• Urban Planning Forum
• Architectural Practice
• Buildings

(The list of publication opportunities is continuously expanding and will be updated on the conference website.)

Submit your abstracts now to join an inspiring event that will shape the future human habitat in the era of AI.

Host Institute

• Urban Planning and Design (UPD), Design School (DES), Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Co-host Institute (No particular order)

• Human-centered Sustainable Interaction Research Center (HCSI) & Department of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE), University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)
• School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology (SUST)
• School of Architecture, Soochow University (SU)

Partner Institutes

• School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
• College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University (TJU)
• School of Architecture, Southeast University
• Urban and Environmental Studies University Research Centre, XJTLU
• SCP Consultants (Suzhou Industrial Park) CoLtd, 邦城规划

Organisation Committee

• Yanhui Lei*, XJTLU
• Bing Chen, XJTLU
• Wu Deng, UNNC
• Tongyu Zhou*, UNNC
• Edward Cooper, UNNC
• DehuaQiu, SUST
• Genwei Hong*, SUST
• Xiaofang Wei, SUST
• Jialin Sun, SUST
• Can Wang*, SU
• Peiyang Chen, SU
• Yitian Ren, XJTLU
• Daniel Yonto, XJTLU
• Shih-yang Kao, XJTLU
• Lin Lin, XJTLU
• Hyung Rae Cho, XJTLU
• Kon Kim, XJTLU
• Mrs Xin Zhao, XJTLU
• Miss Xiaoxiao Feng, TJU

Scientific Committee

• Bing Chen, XJTLU
• Yanhui Lei, XJTLU
• Qiantao Zhang, XJTLU
• Xin Yi, Southeast University
• Wu Deng, UNNC
• Tongyu Zhou, UNNC
• Rabee Raffat, UNNC
• Yat-Ming Loo, UNNC
• Zhiang Zhang, UNNC
• Dengfeng Du, UNNC
• Xinhai Yang, SUST
• Gengwei Hong, SUST
• Yushu Liu, SUST
• Jiancheng Lu, SUST
• Dr. Hongbo Jian, SUST
• Hong Ni, SUST
• Leilei Sun, SU
• Yuanyuan Mao, SU
• Yasi Tian, SU
• Can Wang, SU
• Peiyang Chen, SU
• Marc Aurel Schnabel, XJTLU
• Joon Sik Kim, XJTLU
• Dr. Yiwen Wang, XJTLU
• Xuefeng Wang, XJTLU
• Yunqing Xu, XJTLU
• Juhyun Lee, XJTLU
• Hyung-Chul Chuang, XJTLU
• Sophie Sturup, XJTLU
• Jinglu Song, XJTLU
• Dr. Jinliu Chen, Suzhou City University

Social Media Support

• WUPEN
• XJTLU Design School
• CCPR
• FURP
• School of Architecture and Urban Planning, SUST

Contact Information

Event Organiser:

Dr Yanhui Lei and Professor Bing Chen

Conference Support Team

• Miss Xinyu Shen (UPD Secretary)
• Miss Biman Xie (PhD candidate)
• Miss Yiyi Kou (PhD candidate)
• Miss Sifan Yu (Master student)
• Tianqi Zhang (Master student)
• Miss Wofei Ren (Master student)

For more information or inquiries, please feel free to contact us via:

UPD@xjtlu.edu.cn