On the afternoon of October 12, 2025, the Hongqiao Flower Valley Shanghai Citizens' Shanghai-style Flower Arrangement Competition (College Student Special Session) and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Shanghai-style Flower Arrangement Campus Event were grandly inaugurated at the Fengxian Campus of Shanghai Institute of Technology. In response to this call, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University meticulously organized a team of 10 Chinese and international students to participate in the competition.

With the theme Autumn Rhythm, Skill Shadow, Inheriting Spring Splendor, students from CAUP adeptly integrated their professional knowledge in architecture, urban planning, and landscape design into their floral creations. This approach not only demonstrated their cross-disciplinary practical abilities but also highlighted the innovative application of architectural aesthetics in traditional art forms.

Following intense competition, CAUP students achieved outstanding results. Alessandra Medaglia from Italy secured the first prize, while Peer Friedrich from Germany, SEKHSOKH TAHA from Morocco, and Josune Minguela from Spain claimed the second and third prizes, respectively. Clara Yang Sayagués from Spain, Naëlle Attigui from Switzerland, and other students were awarded excellence prizes. Additionally, two students from other colleges within the university also received excellence awards, further expanding the impact of this event.

In recognition of its exceptional organizational efforts and the remarkable performance of its students, CAUP was honored with the Excellent Organization Award and the Excellent Guidance Award. Associate Professor Chen Jing and instructor Xu Erfeng were acknowledged as the outstanding mentors who guided the students throughout the competition.

This event holds profound academic and cultural significance for CAUP. It provided a platform for international students from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Morocco, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan, to engage in cross-cultural exchanges and collaborative learning with Chinese students. By integrating elements of literature, art, and life aesthetics into their floral arrangements, the students not only inherited the open spirit and refined style of Shanghai-style flower arrangement but also effectively showcased the unique charm of China's traditional intangible cultural heritage on the global stage.