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    International Talent Development

    Research on Localised Cultivation of International Talents under the Belt and Road Initiative

    China Labour Association——Research Project on Factors and Talent Support for High-Quality Development in Housing and Urban-Rural Development (2025)

    This project aims to address the strategic requirements posed to China’s housing and urban-rural development sector as the Belt and Road Initiative enters a new phase of high-quality development. Its core objective is to leverage the international education model pioneered by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and Suzhou’s accumulated experience in external cooperation and international exchange. It seeks to analyse and construct a dual-helix integrated talent development system for the construction industry, combining internationalisation with localisation.

    Low-Carbon Development Research

    Green Retrofitting: Build the Commercial Case for Deepening China’s Understanding of UK Expertise

    Funding Source: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK
    Supporting Organizations: China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), British Embassy in Beijing, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

    With a Sino-UK team of 20-year experience in low-carbon research, it aims to investigate the green retrofitting market and barriers in China and pave way for roadmap strategies, based on 3 cases studies of different types and over 20 expert interviews in different sectors of the low carbon industry chains.

    Research on the Integrated Transformation Path for Low-carbon Industrial Cluster in Suzhou

    Funding Source: Suzhou Philosophy and Social Science Federation

    Integrating the theory of industrial symbiosis and clustering, this research develops a trinity transformation model that provides a holistic framework for industrial decarbonisation, spatial decarbonisation and incentive-based institutional environment based on international case comparisons.

    Green Economy: Pathway to Industrial Decarbonization of Suzhou Industrial Park

    Funding Source: Planning and Construction Committee, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP)

    It frames the implementation pathway for industrial decarbonisation, composing industrial restructuring, energy optimisation, digitalization, and green building, and establishes an indicator system to assess progress. It further conducts a case study on SIP to identify patterns, factors, relations and changes.

    Research on Low-carbon Life Pavilion and Mini Park Renovation

    Cooperation: Suzhou Changguang Enterprise Development Co. LTD

    Working with government and industry experts, the research team proposes a plan that integrates low-carbon education, research and demonstration and renovates small industrial park for clustering low-carbon industries, technologies, scientific researches and social capitals towards sustainable regeneration.

    Urban Quality Research

    Cooperation: Wujiang District Taihu New Town Construction Bureau

    Research on Urban Priority Areas for Quality Transformation

    The research critically reviews the connotation changes of ‘urban quality’ in the new urban context, and discusses the framework for evaluation and research. It proposes a strategic positioning on the ‘lake economy’ in light of the local characteristics of Wuijang Taihu New Town and suggests long-term monitoring and priority areas for stage advancement.

    The Micro-renewal of the Old Residential Communities for the Elderly

    The research builds a theoretical framework and analyses the infrastructure and activities for the elderly in Wuijang Taihu New Town’s older neighbourhoods. It provides systematic guidelines for the aging-friendly renovation of public spaces in more old neighbourhoods by the planning of 5-10-15 minute living circles and modular landscape design strategies.

    Brand Strategy from the Perspective of Symbolic Landscape

    Combining the overall planning and analysis of the current situation, the research integrates the “Jiangnan culture” into the symbolic landscape. Taking the East Taihu Ecological Park as an example, the research also explores the role of language, pattern, colour and other symbolic landscapes in quality enhancement, and proposes overall design directions and detailed transformation plans.

    Classification and Characterization of Urban Open Space

    The research analyses the resources and challenges of Wujiang Taihu New Town through multi-source big data, and classifies urban open spaces on this basis. Combining case studies and the general principle of “ecology-culture-recreation”, it proposes the construction of the two-level slow-walking system of “whole area-neighbourhood” and the “daily/festival” recreation circle, the multi-dimensional use of ecological resources, and the display of history and culture on multiple levels, to shape and enhance the characteristics of urban open space.

    Urban regeneration training programme under the concept of Green Development in Wujiang District

    The programme was organized by Wujiang District Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, Organization Department of the CPC Wujiang District Committee, School of the CPC Wujiang District Committee, and hosted by University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (UES) at XJTLU. A total of 45 young and middle-aged cadres from the Organization Department of the CPC Wujiang District Committee, Wujiang District Natural Resources and Planning Bureau, Local Construction Bureau and institutions at many levels attended. The lecturers is a combination of the international team from XJTLU and local experts to develop the participants’ Eastern and Western perspectives and convergent thinking. The aim was to enhance the international perspective and forward thinking of the cadres of the authorities based on domestic and international development realities, trends, ideas and methods, to stimulate vitality and innovation, and to help Wujiang take the lead in exploring organic, inclusive and substantial urban regeneration paths. The programme promoted reflective learning among participants and was generally well received. In addition to the XJTLU platform, it was reported by Famous City Suzhou（2500sz News）, Wujiang District Natural Resources and Planning Bureau and SCP.

    Industrial Development Research

    Study on the Development Model, Cooperation Mechanism, and Policy Recommendations for the Changsha Lin’gang Industrial Development Zone in Hunan Province

    Cooperation: SCP Planning Consultants Limited; Xiangyin County Government, Yueyang City, Hunan Province

    Based on the accumulated research foundation in the field of enclave cooperation, UES collaborated with SCP to conduct study in Changsha Lingang Development Zone. Through multiple on-site meetings and field visits in Hunan Province, Changsha City, Xiangjiang National New Area, county government, and state-owned enterprises, suggestions were proposed for innovating the development model, cooperation mechanism, and supporting policies of this enclave project.

    Research on the Integrated Development of Health Tourism and Humanities in Kaifeng City, Henan Province

    Cooperation: Kaifeng Municipal Government, Henan Province
    (Awarded the Third Prize in the Decision-making Research Project by the Kaifeng Municipal Government)

    UES organised a research team with professors from the Urban Planning and Design Department at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and local experts in Henan Province. With the support of the Kaifeng Municipal Government Research Centre, in-depth field studies were conducted to exchange and identify the key challenges and pain points. In light with international experience, the team proposed a development direction and pathway for Kaifeng, accompanied by decision-making recommendations to strategically position the city as a nationally renowned tourism and health and wellness destination.

    Research on Benchmarking Suzhou Industrial Park with Top Global High-Tech Parks

    Cooperation: Suzhou Sungent Urban Development Co., Ltd.

    Drawing on and comparing the advanced experiences of first-class high-tech parks in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan, the research provides recommendations for SIP in terms of industrial strength, openness, innovation capacity and talent development, and helps SIP to participate deeply in international competition.

    Research on the “Enclave Economy” of Suzhou Industrial Park from the Perspective of Knowledge Transfer

    Funding Source: Suzhou Philosophy and Social Science Federation

    The research develops a knowledge transfer framework for enclave parks and validates the practicality of the framework through case studies, providing a reference for promoting the application of the “SIP experience” and achieving long-term progress.

    Water Environment Research

    Cooperation: Wujiang District Water Affairs Bureau
    Within the framework of the 5-year strategic collaboration between XJTLU and Wujiang District Government, the research projects have been successfully completed, resulting in a number of outcomes such as reports, papers, patents and software publications.

    Research on Technical Efficiency of Rural Sewage Treatment

    The research team conducted dynamic monitoring and analysis of agricultural sewage treatment facilities in key villages around Yuandang Lake, summarised the existing problems and put forward targeted ecological optimisation solutions, providing a research basis for the establishment of a long-term management mechanism for rural domestic wastewater treatment in the Yangtze River Delta region.

    Smart Water Affairs Informatization

    The research team collected data through drones and unmanned boats to monitor the water quality of Yuandang Lake. The research is based on systematic waterside image and water quality parameter processing flow, and constructs inverse models of important water quality indicators through machine learning and other technical means, providing a theoretical basis for the development of a water quality early warning system in Wujiang District.

    The project garnered acclaim for their outstanding solutions from the Jiangsu Artificial Intelligence Society. Collaboratively submitted with the Wujiang Water Affairs Bureau, the initiatives further secured the 2023 vertical project from the Suzhou Municipal Water Affairs Bureau, noting their impact and relevance in addressing water management challenges.

    Optimization of Water System Structure in Wujiang District, Suzhou

    Based on policies for water system adjustment, the research develops suitable local approaches and rules, and proposes strategies and solutions for optimising the water system structure, providing a reference for water system planning in Wujiang District.

    Cause of Water Pollution in Wujiang District, Suzhou

    Using physicochemical and microbiological parameters, the research evaluates the water quality of some areas in Wujiang, and identifies pollution sources through qPCR quantitative analysis, providing theoretical support for local water pollution control efforts.

    Pre-assessment of Tail Water Ecological Purification System of Sewage Plant

    The project provides a comprehensive pre-assessment of the unimplemented schemes, making recommendations for ecological restoration and providing research support to enhance the value of water ecosystem services in the region.

    Agriculture Development Research

    Cooperation: Suzhou Industrial Park Economic Development Committee

    Investigation on Agricultural Development Status in SIP

    The research investigates the present situation, advantages and challenges of agriculture in SIP as a highly urbanised and modern area. From the perspectives of management optimization and industrial development, the research provides planning suggestions for the combination of agriculture and cities for SIP, exploring a new path of agricultural modernization and industrial integration.

    Food and City: Smart and Green Regeneration in SIP

    Introducing the concept of smart urban agriculture, the research establishes innovative urban agricultural models, including factory transformation and community farming two forms and space design, to provide citizen-centred urban agricultural facilities, seeking green innovation, wisdom, and sustainable high-quality life.