The 2025 WLA Shanghai International Forum will be hosted by the School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This marks the first time that World Landscape Architecture (WLA) is partnering with a university to organise an international in-person forum.
Centered on the theme “Future Fusion”, the forum is dedicated to promoting deep integration and cross-disciplinary innovation in forward-looking theories and practices of habitat design. The event will also feature the WLA Selected Projects Exhibition and WLA Student Awards Ceremony.
Since its founding, the School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University has consistently advanced interdisciplinary integration within the design field, emphasizing the synergy between the humanities, arts, and technological sciences. The school was also among the first in China to establish a dedicated Habitat Design program, demonstrating its forward-thinking leadership in this emerging field. World Landscape Architecture (WLA) is a globally recognized platform for high-quality content and international competitions in landscape design, boasting significant industry influence. By jointly launching the WLA Shanghai International Forum under the theme “Future Fusion”, the two institutions aim to establish a prestigious platform for dialogue and collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and industry leaders. The forum will foster the integration of theory and practice as well as resource sharing. Through a series of events—including the WLA Outstanding Works Exhibition, the Student Competition Awards Ceremony, thematic exhibitions, and in-depth workshops—the forum will showcase the latest ideas, innovations, and practical achievements in global habitat design, promoting the field’s continuous evolution and innovation.
Keynote Speakers
Ruishan Chen | Vice Dean and Tenured Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Xing Ruan | Dean and Guangqi Chair Professor of Architecture at School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Member of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Committee
Michel Hössler | Founder of Agence TER
Tom Leader | Founder of TLS Landscape Architecture
Speaker – Remembering Kongjian Yu’s Work | TBA
Event Details
The Future Fusion Forum and Exhibition will take place on Saturday, 8 November 2025 (9:00 AM to 7:00PM) at the School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Minhang Campus). 上海交通大学闵行校区
Tickets
Mainland Chinese should purchase their tickets from Wechat App
中国大陆游客请通过微信App扫描下方二维码购票
Overall Theme
“Human-habitat Design” encompasses the entirety of our human-made world. It emphasizes the creation of a physical environment (cities, architecture, ecological landscapes, transportation systems, and product design), the construction of virtual spaces (AI, programming, information, and networks), and the infusion of humanistic spirit (art, literature, history, and sense of place) to form an organic vessel for human life. More importantly, it focuses on establishing a harmonious and symbiotic relationship among “people—habitats—lifestyles” through a fluid, cross-disciplinary framework, thereby achieving a comprehensive enhancement of quality in people’s pursuit of a better life. As a systemic discipline concerned with optimizing human existence and living conditions, its inclusiveness and expansiveness—together with its methodological capacity to provide soft support and elevate the value of strategic goals—align deeply with core strategies of “Ocean,” “Health,” and “Information” under the vision of “Grand Design.”
Programme
09:00-09:30 Registration at School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
09:30-09:45 Opening Remarks
09:45-10:45 Keynote Speeches
10:45-11:00 Coffee Break
11:00-12:00 Keynote Speeches
12:00-13:30 Lunch and Networking
13:30-14:30 Exhibition Guided Tour by Curator – Zhongwei Li
14:30-17:00 Parallel Forums
1. Pioneering Design Forum
2. Academic Forum
3. WLA Jury Forum
4. Future Newcomer Workshop – Students exchange views and discuss the declaration on “Climate Change and the Responsibility of Future Designers”
18:00-18:30 2025 WLA Student Award Ceremony
18:30-19:00 Launch of “Climate Change and Resilient Human Settlements” and Closing Remarks
Event Co-Chairs
Xing Ruan | Dean and Guangqi Chair Professor of Architecture at School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Member of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Committee
Damian Holmes | Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA)
Xiangming Zhu | President, Shanghai Landscape Architecture Society; National Engineering Survey and Design Master
Exhibition
Theme | Climate Change and Resilient Human Settlements
Curator | Zhongwei Li | Associate Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Co-founder/Creative Director of Lab D+H SH
Celebration of Kongjian Yu’s work
Parallel Forums
Pioneering Design Forum
Lee Parks | Executive Director and Head of Landscape Department at AECOM
Fusang Ren | Partner of TROP Shanghai Office
Shiyang Lin | Principle of Hassell；Head of Urban and Landscape Design, Shanghai Studio, Hassell
Yijia Sun | Chief Designer and Partner of VIASCAPE design
Shan Pan | Co-founder of FISH Design
Jingshi Diao | Co-founder of LANDTEK GROUP
Academic Forum
Zhifang WANG | Vice Dean and Researcher of the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Peking University
Weibo Zhang | Director and President, Shanghai Mental Health Center (Pujiang Branch)
Bin Jiang | Director, Urban Environment and Human Health Lab, Associate Professor, Division of Landscape Architecture, University of Hong Kong
Zhao Liu | Tenured Associate Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Junxiang Li | Tenured Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shengquan Che | Tenured Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
WLA Awards Jury Forum
Moderator | Xi Li | Founder and Chief of ArchiDogs
Damian Holmes | Founder and Editor of World Landscape Architecture (WLA)
William Shivers | Assistant Professor, Division of Landscape Architecture, University of Hong Kong
Xiaodi Zheng | Professor, Vice-Chair of Department Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University
Ying Zeng | Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Architecture, China Academy of Art
Zhongwei Li | Associate Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Co-founder/Creative Director of Lab D+H SH
Yan Peng | Associate General Manager of Wide Horizon Landscape Center
Parallel Panel – Future Newcomer Workshop
Advisor | Ling Wang | Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Workshop – Students exchanged views and discussed the declaration on “Climate Change and the Responsibility of Future Designers”
This forum is now openly recruiting two young designer speakers (recent graduates) and two student winners of WLA awards to participate in the panel discussion.
For more information contact submit@worldlandscapearchitect.com
Event Organizers
Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 上海交通大学
World Landscape Architecture (WLA) | 世界景观建筑网（WLA）
Commissioner
School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 上海交通大学设计学院
Deputy Commissioner
ArchiDogs | 筑格传媒
Supporting Partner
Shanghai Landscape Architecture Society | 上海市风景园林学会
EVENT LOCATION
Shanghai Jiao Tong University – School of Design
上海交通大学闵行校区
上海市闵行区东川路698号
Enter at South Gate 2 (by Car/Taxi/E-Hail Car)
Enter at Main South Gate (by Foot or Bicycle)
Closest Metro Station
Zizhu Hi Tech Park (Line 15) (20 minute walk station to Design School)
Nearest Hotels
Courtyard by Marriott Shanghai Minhang (2.8km)
Crystal Orange Hotel Shanghai Minhang Huashida (3.3km)
Nearest High Speed Train Stations
Shanghai South Railway Station (20km)
Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station (27km)
Nearest Airports
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (27km)
Shanghai Pudong Airport (52km)