The “Compact Cities on the Rails” Young Architects Forum, one of the series of events during the 2023 Annual Conference of the Architectural Society of Shanghai China and International Architecture Culture Week, was successfully held in November 2023.
Benoy Senior Architect, Xianbin Ni, attended the event and delivered a keynote speech that showcased the team’s expertise and his thoughts on shaping the architectural dialogue.
Shaping Tomorrow: Exploring Transit-Oriented Development and Urban Priorities
Centred around the theme of “compact cities on the rails”, the forum explored evolving trends in the region’s development. The discussions covered all aspects of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), emphasising the promotion of high-quality urban development in today’s era.
Xianbin Ni’s presentation, titled “Urban Priorities” cited practical examples such as the redevelopment of Shanghai’s Moshida Plaza, Alibaba’s Central China Headquarters and Industrial Complex and the conceptual design for Longgang, Shenzhen. He analysed the three different scales of these projects.
Xiabin Ni Unveils the Future of Transit-Oriented Development in Urban Life
Xiabin Ni explained: “Traditional transit-oriented development (TOD) commercial complexes are transforming into crucial infrastructure solutions that enhance daily lives and emerge as one of the most frequently go-to public spaces for city residents.
Therefore, TOD, adapted to future needs, revolves around transit-oriented daily life – how public transport shapes our routine.
In such spaces, a noticeable conflict arises between the need for efficient commuter links and the appeal of experience-based commercial travel.
Functioning as the central hub in the city’s rapid transformation, the railway and its surrounding urban space serves as the city’s gearbox.
Drawing from our diverse project experience, we give rise to the design concept of ‘embracing the simple pleasures of commerce, work, and lifestyle.”
2023 Architectural Society of Shanghai Forum
Guided by influential entities such as the Architectural Society of China, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, Shanghai International Culture Association, Shanghai Coordination Center for the World Cities Day and the Regional Cooperation Office of the Yangtze River Delta, the event was hosted by the Architectural Society of Shanghai China.
Organised by the Urban Design and Planning Committee of the Architectural Society of Shanghai and the Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research, it brought together key players in the industry
Representatives from Benoy, East China Architectural Design & Research Institute, Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd., China Railway Shanghai Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., Rijian Design (Shanghai) Consultation Co., Ltd., DP Architects and kokaistudios shared their valuable insights, contributing to a comprehensive exploration of the future of urban development.
