As an expert in sustainable urban planning and AI, Siegfried Zhiqiang Wu is an internationally sought-after expert. An interview on innovation, the circular economy and the ideal city.
Interview by Benjamin Pfeifer
Professor Wu, as an architect and urban planner, you are deeply involved in the challenges of sustainable construction. What does that mean to you, and what role does technology play?
For me, sustainable urban planning means developing cities that can grow in harmony with nature and humanity over the long term. This goes far beyond constructing new structures. Sustainability is always a balance between past and future. A city can only develop sustainably if it respects its historical layers while remaining adaptable for future generations. Technology plays a key role in this process, particularly through simulations and data analysis. Modern tools enable us to better anticipate and realistically simulate ecological and social impacts—whether for transport, resource use, or climate adaptation.
It’s about understanding technology as a bridge between humans and nature, thereby making cities resilient and liveable. However, our role as urban planners cannot be limited to using the latest technology; we must observe closely and, above all, listen. What do people need? What traditions does a place have? Our task is to decode the city’s genes—or, if you like, its DNA—and develop them sensitively.”
How can artificial intelligence transform urban planning and improve life in megacities like Shanghai?
Artificial intelligence offers an entirely new dimension to urban planning. It can process vast amounts of data and identify patterns that would otherwise remain invisible to planners. Imagine being able to analyse the daily life of a city in real time—how people move, when traffic peaks occur, and which spaces are most actively used. AI can help make urban systems more dynamic, resilient, and efficient. A prime example is traffic management. In a city like Shanghai, managing traffic is an immense challenge. AI can identify traffic flow patterns and propose solutions to optimise road use or better distribute public transport systems.
But it’s not just about the technology itself – I think most importantly, AI should be used to improve the quality of life. It should help people overcome everyday challenges and contribute to both environmental and social equilibrium.
‘AI should be used to improve the quality of life. It should help people overcome everyday challenges and contribute to both environmental and social equilibrium.’
– Prof. Siegfried Zhiqiang Wu
You are a strong advocate of the circular economy in architecture and urban planning. How can this principle be applied in practice?
The circular economy means reusing and repurposing existing structures and materials wherever possible, rather than demolishing them to build new ones. In Shanghai and other large cities, there are many old industrial or university buildings that have lost their original purpose. I see these structures as valuable resources, not waste. They are part of the city’s identity and have cultural and social significance. A concrete example is the project with the old Expo buildings in Shanghai. Instead of demolishing them, we turned them into cultural and community centres that are still in use today.
Circular economy is about much more than material recycling – it is about understanding the history and emotional significance of urban spaces.
You work at the intersection of Chinese and Western architecture. What differences do you see between the two cultures in terms of urban design?
One key difference is the speed and approach to urban development. In China, the pace is incredibly fast. Many cities have been built in just a few decades, often requiring quick decisions to meet demand. In Western countries, especially Germany, planning and public participation take much longer. This has both advantages and disadvantages.
In China, we are increasingly recognising that quality and longevity are as important as speed. As a result, we are looking more closely at Western approaches that emphasise long-term sustainability and cultural heritage. At the same time, we are developing our own unique identity in urban planning. The challenge is to integrate the best aspects of both approaches while maintaining our cultural authenticity.
To what extent does German architectural history influence your work, and how do you combine it with Chinese tradition?
German architectural history remains an important source of inspiration for me. I lived in Berlin for almost ten years, where I studied the 19th-century city in depth, especially the classical Gründerzeit districts. Berlin-Kreuzberg, for example, comes very close to my ideal of a vibrant neighbourhood that is truly embraced by its residents. German architects and urban planners, supported by a strong commitment to heritage preservation, have developed a unique way of reconciling history and modernity.
In China, we are fortunate to have a rich architectural tradition spanning centuries. What is often lacking, however, is a systematic approach to integrating this heritage into contemporary urban planning. I see it as my mission to keep this historical legacy alive while shaping it to meet the demands of the present. In this respect, we can learn a lot from the German emphasis on precision and respect for the old.
You recently received the ICONIC Award 2024 for the Ningbo Academician Centre in Zhejiang Province. What does this award mean for you and your work?
The ICONIC Award is a wonderful affirmation of my work and my belief that architecture and urbanism must make a sustainable and social contribution. The Ningbo Academician Centre serves as an innovation and academic hub. Our approach was to comprehensively renovate and transform the dilapidated campus. It is a testament to what architecture can achieve: creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and that meet people’s needs. The site now includes two renovated teaching buildings on the perimeter, a new visitor centre and a new lecture theatre. The buildings are linked by a bridge. The architecture, urban design and landscaping form a cohesive whole and contribute to the identity of the area.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Siegfried Zhiqiang Wu
Siegfried Zhiqiang Wu is one of the world’s leading urban planners and experts in AI-based planning. As a professor at Tongji University and founder of the College of Design and Innovation, he focuses on innovative methods and practical approaches to promote global urban sustainability.
His most famous projects include the Shanghai Expo 2010, the Qingdao International Horticultural Expo 2014, and the Dujiangyan reconstruction plan after the Sichuan earthquake. He is a member of numerous academies and associations, including the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). After receiving his Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Tongji University in 1985, he completed his Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning at the Technical University of Berlin in 1994 with a thesis on the “Globalisation of Metropolises at the Turn of the Millennium”.
About the ICONIC AWARDS 2024: Innovative Architecture
FUTURE-ORIENTED, HOLISTIC, INNOVATIVE – The internationally renowned award honours holistic projects in the fields of urban and architectural design, interior design, product design and brand communication.
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