XJTLU Scholar Invited To University of Nairobi, Kenya

On 24^th October 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, a joint workshop was held by the Centre for Urban-Rural Linkages in Africa (CURLA) at the University of Nairobi and by the Urban and Environmental Studies Research Centre (UES) at XJTLU on Urbanization and Sustainable Development. Dr. Yunqing Xu, Director of UES, delivered a speech on “Achievements, Challenges and New Developments of Urbanization in China”. Faculty and students from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) at the University of Nairobi and representatives from Chinese enterprises in Kenya engaged in interactive discussions.

Dr. Yunqing Xu and Dr. Munyua Mwaura, Head of DURP, University of Nairobi

The University of Nairobi, one of Kenya’s leading academic institutions, established DURP in the 1970s and plays a crucial role in spatial planning, development policy, and sustainable urbanization. Supported by UN-Habitat, CURLA has been established to address Africa's urban and rural linkages. Professor Isaac Karanja Mwangi, CURLA’s founding director, is active in academia and industry, fostering partnerships with UN-Habitat and major universities and institutions across Africa.

Dr. Yunqing Xu, Dr. Munyua Mwaura and Prof.  Isaac Karanja Mwangi at the Workshop

Taking Suzhou and its Suzhou Industrial Park as examples, Dr. Yunqing Xu provided a vivid introduction to the massive urban transformations over a few decades in China and highlighted the industrial growth and urban development model led by land and real estate. She elaborated on the key strategies and adjustments for regions, industries, and communities to push toward a coordinated economy, livability, social equity, and quality improvement. Linking China’s recent experience in ecological protection, green industry, and new infrastructure in urban and rural contexts, she further provided insights and comparisons for African countries. Dr. Xu noted that, in the face of accelerating urbanization alongside many mid-sized cities in Africa, strategies and plans would be better formulated in light of their local contexts, resources, and challenges in the long term.

Joint Workshop at the University of Nairobi

In her speech, Dr. Xu also introduced XJTLU’s international and localized teaching modes and research agendas and the research initiatives and impacts of UES at XJTLU, focusing on urban growth, sustainability and quality. Her talk sparked active discussions among faculty and students, touching on broad questions concerning urbanisation, ranging from social equity, smart inclusiveness, informality, environmental protection and urban governance.

Sharing by Representatives from Chinese Enterprises in Kenya

Questions and Discussion by University of Nairobi Student Representative

It has been noted that China’s urbanization model and development experience are valuable experiences for local development in Africa, especially in urban construction, infrastructure improvement, housing and social welfare, regional economic growth, and green, low-carbon initiatives. This was followed by further discussion on CURLA’s research agenda and prospects for collaboration with UES.

The Urban and Environmental Studies Research Centre (UES) at XJTLU continues to strive to strengthen international exchanges and research cooperation and build a knowledge transfer platform to inject new energy into the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Dr. Opiyo Making Concluding Remarks

Dr. Yunqing Xu and Faculty and Students from the University of Nairobi