Connect, Learn, Collaborate: WUPEN’s Varied Knowledge-Sharing Programs Drive Innovation in Urban Planning Across Continents
连接、学习、协作：WUPEN 多元化的知识共享项目推动全球城市规划创新
Introduction
In an era marked by rapid urbanization, climate change, and the urgent need for sustainable development, platforms that connect global expertise in urban planning and design have become indispensable. The World Urban Planning Education Network (WUPEN) stands as a prominent international organization dedicated to fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in urban planning, design, and related fields. Based on the shared mission, it became natural to establish a close and solid cooperation between CNEUCN and WUPEN. Along the years, WUPEN has evolved into a vital bridge between academia, industry, and policymakers worldwide, driving transformative change in how cities are planned, built, and managed.
引言
在一个以快速城市化、气候变化和可持续发展迫切需求为特征的时代，连接全球城市规划与设计专业知识的平台变得不可或缺。世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）是一个重要的国际组织，致力于促进城市规划、设计及相关领域的合作、知识交流与创新。基于共同的使命，仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）与WUPEN建立紧密而稳固的合作关系成为顺理成章之事。多年来，WUPEN已发展成为连接全球学术界、产业界和政策制定者的重要桥梁，推动着城市规划、建设和管理方式的变革性发展。
Origins and Mission
In 2001, the spark of the first World Planning Schools Congress (WPSC) ignited WUPEN’s mission. WUPEN emerged from a recognition that urbanization is a global phenomenon requiring collective solutions. With cities accounting for over half of the world’s population—and projected to reach 68% by 2050, according to the UN—issues like overcrowding, resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and social inequality demand interdisciplinary and cross-border cooperation. WUPEN was founded to facilitate this collaboration, with a core mission to promote excellence in urban planning education, research, and practice.
WUPEN was founded by Academician (Siegfried) Zhiqiang Wu, a globally renowned scholar and expert in urban planning. WUPEN is an international education federation composed of excellent planning institutions in the world. Based on the continuous innovation in the field of urban planning and design education, the website, WUPEN, and the world city database, CBDB, constitute the intelligent website of the world urban innovation planning and design education practice. WUPEN supports:
• ICITY, the intelligent city online platform of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and UNESCO,
• GPEAN-the website of the global federation of planning and education,
• Guihua magazine, the global green campus website,
• Yangtze River Delta intelligent planning platform.
The organization’s name, “World Urban Planning Education Network,” reflects its roots in academic exchange, but its scope has expanded to encompass a broader vision: leveraging education, innovation, and global networks to create more sustainable, resilient, and livable cities. By connecting educators, students, professionals, and policymakers, WUPEN aims to bridge knowledge gaps, share best practices, and inspire actionable solutions to urban challenges.
起源与使命
2001年，首届世界规划院校大会（WPSC）的举办点燃了世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）的使命火种。WUPEN的诞生源于一种共识：城市化是一个全球性现象，需要集体协作才能解决相关问题。根据联合国数据，目前城市人口已占世界总人口的一半以上，预计到2050年这一比例将达到68%。由此引发的人口拥挤、资源短缺、环境恶化和社会不平等之类的问题，亟需开展跨学科、跨国界的合作。WUPEN应运而生，其核心使命是推动城市规划教育、研究与实践的卓越发展。
WUPEN由全球知名城市规划学者、专家吴志强院士发起成立，是一个由世界优秀规划院校组成的国际教育联盟。依托在城市规划与设计教育领域的持续创新，WUPEN网站与世界城市数据库（CBDB）共同构成了世界城市创新规划设计教育实践的智慧平台。WUPEN为以下项目提供支持：
• 中国工程院与联合国教科文组织联合打造的智慧城市在线平台“ICITY”
• 全球规划教育联盟网站“GPEAN”
• 《规划》杂志与全球绿色校园网站
• 长三角智慧规划平台
“世界城市规划教育网络”这一组织名称体现了其植根于学术交流的本源，但如今其范畴已拓展至更广阔的愿景：借助教育、创新及全球网络，打造更具可持续性、韧性和宜居性的城市。通过连接教育工作者、学生、专业人士和政策制定者，WUPEN致力于弥合知识鸿沟、分享最佳实践，并为应对城市挑战提供切实可行的解决方案。
Core Functions and Activities
WUPEN’s work revolves around three key pillars: knowledge sharing, talent development, and collaborative projects. These pillars are supported by a range of initiatives designed to engage its global community.
1. Knowledge Exchange Platforms
WUPEN serves as a digital and physical hub for disseminating cutting-edge research, case studies, and policy insights. Its official website acts as a central repository, featuring publications, reports, and databases on urban planning trends, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and innovative design solutions. The platform hosts resources such as:
• Case studies of successful urban projects, from eco-friendly public spaces in Copenhagen to affordable housing models in Singapore.
• Academic journals and white papers on topics like smart cities, climate-responsive design, and inclusive urban governance.
• Webinars and virtual conferences featuring leading experts, enabling real-time dialogue between stakeholders from different regions.
These resources empower professionals and students to learn from global examples, adapting proven strategies to local contexts.
2. Educational Initiatives
Recognizing that the next generation of urban planners and designers will shape the future of cities, WUPEN places a strong emphasis on education. It collaborates with universities and educational institutions worldwide to develop curricula, organize workshops, and support student exchanges. Key programs include:
• International design competitions for students, challenging them to address real-world urban issues (e.g., reimagining post-industrial zones or designing climate-resilient neighborhoods). These competitions not only foster creativity but also connect emerging talent with industry leaders.
• Faculty exchange programs, allowing educators to share teaching methodologies and research expertise across borders, enriching academic discourse.
• Online courses and certification programs focused on specialized areas like urban data analytics, green infrastructure, and participatory planning, making quality education accessible to a global audience.
3. Collaborative Projects and Advocacy
WUPEN actively partners with governments, NGOs, and private sector entities to implement urban projects and advocate for sustainable policies. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the organization ensures that planning solutions are holistic, equitable, and aligned with local needs. Among the many, some examples of such collaborations include:
• Pilot projects in developing cities to test innovative approaches, such as low-cost urban greening in Nairobi or flood-mitigation strategies in Bangkok.
• Policy advocacy campaigns to promote SDG-aligned urban planning, urging governments to prioritize sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience in their development agendas.
• Partnerships with international organizations, like UN-Habitat, leveraging synergies to scale impact and address global urban challenges.
核心职能与活动
世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）的工作围绕三大支柱展开：知识共享、人才培养和合作项目。一系列旨在凝聚全球社群的举措为这些支柱提供了支撑。
1. 知识交流平台
WUPEN是传播前沿研究、案例分析和政策见解的线上线下枢纽。其官方网站作为核心资源库，收录了关于城市规划趋势、可持续发展目标（SDGs）和创新设计解决方案的出版物、报告及数据库。该平台提供的资源包括：
• 成功城市项目的案例研究，从哥本哈根的环保公共空间到新加坡的保障性住房模式。
• 聚焦智慧城市、气候适应性设计和包容性城市治理等主题的学术期刊与白皮书。
• 由顶尖专家参与的网络研讨会和虚拟会议，为不同地区的利益相关者提供实时对话机会。
这些资源助力专业人士和学生借鉴全球案例，将经过验证的策略应用于本地实际场景。
2. 教育举措
WUPEN认识到，下一代城市规划师和设计师将塑造城市的未来，因此高度重视教育工作。它与全球范围内的高校及教育机构合作，共同开发课程、组织研讨会并支持学生交流。主要项目包括：
• 国际学生设计竞赛，挑战学生解决现实城市问题（例如，重新构想后工业区或设计气候韧性社区）。这些竞赛不仅能激发创造力，还能让新兴人才与行业领袖建立联系。
• 教师交流项目，让教育工作者能够跨国分享教学方法和研究专长，丰富学术话语。
• 专注于城市数据分析、绿色基础设施和参与式规划等专业领域的在线课程及认证项目，使优质教育惠及全球受众。
3. 合作项目与倡导活动
WUPEN积极与各国政府、非政府组织和私营部门实体合作，实施城市项目并倡导可持续政策。通过汇聚多元化的利益相关者，该组织确保规划解决方案具备整体性、公平性，并符合当地需求。此类合作的部分示例包括：
• 在发展中城市开展试点项目，测试创新方法，如内罗毕的低成本城市绿化项目或曼谷的洪水缓解策略。
• 开展政策倡导活动，推广与可持续发展目标相符的城市规划，敦促各国政府在发展议程中优先考虑可持续性、包容性和韧性。
• 与联合国人居署等国际组织建立伙伴关系，借助协同效应扩大影响力，应对全球城市挑战。
Global Reach and Community
WUPEN’s strength lies in its diverse and growing network. The organization has established partnerships with over 500 institutions across more than 60 countries, spanning continents from Asia and Europe to Africa and the Americas. This global footprint enables it to:
• Amplify local voices, ensuring that urban solutions are culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. For instance, traditional urban planning practices in African cities, which prioritize community cohesion, are highlighted and integrated into global dialogues.
• Facilitate north-south and south-south knowledge flows, countering the historical imbalance in urban expertise. Cities in the Global South, often at the forefront of rapid urbanization, share lessons on adaptability and resource efficiency with counterparts in more developed regions.
• Build a community of practice where professionals can collaborate on urgent issues, such as post-pandemic urban recovery or climate adaptation, fostering solidarity in addressing shared challenges.
全球影响力与社群
世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）的优势在于其多元化且不断发展的网络。该组织已与60多个国家的500多所机构建立了合作关系，覆盖亚洲、欧洲、非洲、美洲等各大洲。这一全球布局使其能够：
• 放大本土声音，确保城市解决方案具有文化敏感性和情境适配性。例如，非洲城市中重视社区凝聚力的传统城市规划实践被纳入全球对话并得到推广。
• 促进南北及南南知识流动，打破城市专业知识领域长期存在的不平衡。全球南方的城市往往处于快速城市化的前沿，它们与较发达地区的城市分享在适应性和资源效率方面的经验。
• 构建实践社群，让专业人士能够就后疫情时代城市复苏、气候适应等紧迫问题开展合作，在应对共同挑战时凝聚力量。
2025 International AI City Forum- Prof Sigfried Wu (WUPEN Founder)
2025 国际AI城市论坛-吴志强院士 （WUPEN 创始人）
Impact and Achievements
Over the years, WUPEN has made significant contributions to advancing sustainable urban development. Its design competitions have inspired award-winning projects that have been implemented in cities like Seoul, Rio de Janeiro, and Cape Town, improving quality of life for residents. Through its advocacy, the organization has influenced policy changes, such as the integration of green building standards in urban codes in several Chinese cities and the adoption of participatory planning processes in European municipalities.
WUPEN’s educational programs have also nurtured a new generation of urban leaders equipped with global perspectives and local expertise. Alumni of its student exchanges and workshops now hold key roles in urban planning departments, NGOs, and design firms, driving innovation in their respective regions.
影响力与成就
多年来，世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）为推动可持续城市发展作出了重大贡献。其举办的设计竞赛催生出多个获奖项目，这些项目已在首尔、里约热内卢、开普敦等城市落地实施，改善了当地居民的生活质量。通过倡导活动，该组织推动了多项政策变革，例如助力中国多个城市将绿色建筑标准纳入城市法规，以及推动欧洲一些市政当局采用参与式规划流程。
WUPEN的教育项目还培养了新一代城市领导者，他们兼具全球视野与本土专业知识。参与过其学生交流项目和研讨会的学员如今在城市规划部门、非政府组织和设计公司担任重要职务，在各自所在地区推动着创新发展。
Future Directions
As urban challenges continue to evolve, WUPEN remains committed to adapting and expanding its impact. Key priorities for the future include:
• Strengthening its focus on digital urbanism, leveraging technologies like AI, IoT, and big data to enhance urban efficiency and responsiveness.
• Deepening engagement with marginalized communities, ensuring that urban planning processes are inclusive and address the needs of vulnerable groups, such as low-income residents and displaced populations.
• Scaling up climate action, supporting cities in developing resilience strategies and transitioning to low-carbon economies.
未来发展方向
随着城市挑战不断演变，世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）始终致力于调整并扩大自身影响力。未来的核心工作重点包括：
• 强化对数字城市主义的关注，借助人工智能、物联网和大数据等技术提高城市的效率和响应能力。
• 深化与边缘化社区的互动，确保城市规划过程具有包容性，并满足低收入居民和流离失所者等弱势群体的需求。
• 加大气候行动力度，支持各城市制定韧性战略并向低碳经济转型。
Conclusion
In summary, WUPEN is more than a network—it is a catalyst for transformative urban change, and its synergy with CNEUCN further amplifies this impact. By connecting knowledge, talent, and action across borders, and leveraging the collaborative strengths fostered through its alignment with CNEUCN, it embodies the belief that sustainable cities are built through collective effort. This synergy enhances the depth and reaches of their joint initiatives, merging expertise, resources, and networks to address urban challenges more comprehensively. In a world where urbanization is both a challenge and an opportunity, WUPEN’s work—strengthened by its synergy with CNEUCN—is essential to ensuring that cities become engines of prosperity, equity, and environmental stewardship for all.
结论
总而言之，世界城市规划教育网络（WUPEN）不仅是一个网络，更是推动城市变革的催化剂，而它与仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）的协同效应进一步扩大了这种影响力。通过跨国界连接知识、人才与行动，并借助与CNEUCN合作所培养的协作优势，WUPEN彰显了一个信念：可持续城市的建设离不开集体努力。这种协同效应加深了双方联合举措的深度、拓展了其广度，通过整合专业知识、资源与网络，更全面地应对城市挑战。在这个城市化既是挑战也是机遇的世界里，WUPEN的工作——因与CNEUCN的协同效应而得到加强——对于确保城市成为惠及所有人的繁荣、公平与环境管理的引擎而言，至关重要。
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