4th Global Dean’s Forum

Vision of the Forum

In the relentless tide of industrial technological advancements, the built environment stands at the forefront of transformations in production, living, and ecology. Creative interventions in the built environment not only shape the texture and character of cities but also profoundly influence people's lifestyles and the trajectory of sustainable social development. Amidst the complex backdrop of continuously evolving socio-economic technologies and ecological environments, the future development of the built environment presents boundless opportunities for our planet while also posing unprecedented challenges. Grasping these trends to create healthier and more sustainable built environments has become a core issue urgently needing exploration within academic circles both domestically and internationally.

In 2021, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University initiated the Global Dean’s Forum, aiming to establish a global dialogue platform that brings together deans and researchers from renowned institutions worldwide to jointly outline a blueprint for change in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture fields. By 2024, the Dean’s Forum has successfully attracted the participation of over 20 top international universities, becoming an international platform for sharing cutting-edge ideas and promoting academic exchanges.

4th Global Dean’s Forum

Reimaging Planetary Future

The Fourth Global Dean’s Forum will kick off on December 8, 2024, under the theme Reimaging Planetary Future. This forum is honored to have the following guests:

Brent D. Ryan, Vice Provost, Professor of Urban Design and Public Policy, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT. Tom Avermaete, Deputy Head and Full Professor, Department of Architecture, ETH Zurich. Julie Willis, Dean and Full Professor, School of Design, The University of Melbourne. Lan Wang, Dean and Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University.

Key topics

In this era filled with both challenges and opportunities, global cooperation is particularly crucial for imagining and building a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for our planet. We firmly believe that Reimagining the Planet's Future is not only a profound interpretation of the forum's theme but also a shared action guide for all humanity as we face a rapidly changing world. Leveraging the platform of the Global Dean's Forum, we look forward to working together with faculty and students, starting from the disciplines of architecture, planning, and landscape, to further promote interdisciplinary exchanges in academic culture.