International University Student Planning and Design Competition held in China

An international university student planning and design competition aimed at promoting biodiversity, educational tourism, and rural development has been organised by Professor Li Yu in Boao, China.

The event was coordinated by the Hainan Branch of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design (Beijing) Co., Ltd., along with the UK-China Research Centre for Eco-city and Sustainable Development at the School of Geography and Planning. It received support from the Hainan Green Building Society and was aligned with the global consensus reached at COP15.

The competition focused on three villages near Boao—Longtan, Peilan, and Beichaofang—which form China’s first demonstration zone for near-zero carbon operations.

The competition aimed at planning and developing an Ecological Civilisation demonstration practice in the core region of Boao while encouraging a wide understanding of biodiversity and impacting the environmental-friendly behaviours of university students, local villagers and tourists

The potential implementation of the project is expected to enhance biodiversity protection, promote ecological diversity, and address global challenges related to the shortage of biodiversity education.

Over the course of the competition, the organising committee arranged a five-day field survey in the villages. More than 20 students and university professors participated in the event to collect detailed data and gain intuitive insights.

In addition to on-site surveys, the committee invited the local leaders to hold a workshop with the students to share experiences and practices.

In the process of planning and design, the students conducted an online survey of the Chinese public, which revealed that 72% of respondents strongly agreed with conducting biodiversity educational tourism in rural areas. They have expressed a willingness to "actively participate" in these activities, which they believe "enrich knowledge and enhance comprehensive abilities."

Post-competition surveys among students conducted by Professor Li Yu illustrated that all participants had proactively deepened their knowledge of biodiversity to contribute to the competition. Students reported a “significant improvement” in their understanding of biodiversity and unanimously supported incorporating biodiversity knowledge into university courses on urban and rural planning, spatial planning, and design.

At the review meeting, Professor Wang Kai, President of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, stated that the overall competition entries met the purpose and significance of organising the competition. The students' surveys, designs, and expressions represent an exploration of planning knowledge and methods. There are suggestions for planning education to include more content on biodiversity, low-carbon ecology, and green development to adapt to the current industry development trends.

Professor Yu Li from Cardiff University, who conceptualised the competition, outlined its dual objectives: enhancing students’ professional knowledge and environmental responsibility while promoting the integration of biodiversity conservation into rural planning. He emphasised the competition’s role in influencing public behaviour, fostering sustainable practices, and advancing rural eco-tourism and knowledge-based learning.