17 Apr 2026
On 3rd April, a delegation from XJTLU Design School and our industrial partners travelled at the invitation of our collaborative research partners Suwon Special City, to Suwon, South Korea to participate in the 2026 Suwon Smart Inclusive Transition Forum.
The forum was part of Suwon Research Institute’s anniversary conference series, and reflects the Institute’s deep commitment create close dialogue with Suwon citizens, including them in deliberations about the state of the city and future directions.
Opening the forum, Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel, Dean of XJLTU Design School, congratulated Suwon Research Institute on its dedication to creating practical alternatives and solutions alongside the creative inclusion of Suwon citizens, which is something at the heart of XJTLU Design School’s approach both to teaching and research.
“The forum was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the value of the memorandum of understanding signed between XJTLU and Suwon City in 2025, boding well for future cooperation in the coming years,” he said.
The forum included a presentation outlining the findings from research on Smart Inclusive Transitions for an Equitable future in Suwon, jointly undertaken by XJTLU, Suwon Research Institute, Seoul National University and UN-Habitat, as well as presentations from Professor Yuji from the University of Tokyo on AI and Big Data for Architecture, Urban Planning and Community Design; and from Mr Chen, Chairman of SCP China, on Planning and Development of a Transnational Cooperative Industrial Town: A case of China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park.
These presentations were followed by panel discussion moderated by Professor Joon-sik Kim, XJTLU, with panellists from XJTLU, Waseda University, Seoul National University, and Suwon Research Institute.
Story and images provided by Department of Urban Planning and Design
Translated by Yi Qian
17 Apr 2026