Icebreaker:Who am I and why did I choose to study urban design?

Background

Hello everyone, my name is Duan Ruiyu, and I come from Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. Chengdu is located in the southwest of China and is known as the “Land of Abundance.” My undergraduate major is urban planning. Since I studied urban planning at a domestic university, I have gradually gained a basic understanding of urban planning. Urban planning is not only the functional zoning of urban space, but also a comprehensive and systematic design process. By reasonably arranging the spatial structure of the city, it is possible to create a skeletal space suitable for urban development, making it not only more harmonious visually but also reflecting local characteristics in cultural connotation. Urban planning involves various levels, from micro to macro, including the specific design of urban buildings, roads, public facilities, and the overall control of the city’s overall shape and structure. In this process, I have also learned how to use regulations and policies for necessary qualitative and quantitative control, ensuring the operability and applicability of the design, and striving to provide residents with a better urban environment and urban life experience.

Why am I interested in this major?

During my undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to intern at several design institutes and participate in the design of various urban planning projects. Each time I saw the projects I worked on in the studio gradually take root and become a reality, such as village planning and industrial park planning, this recognition of design and the sense of practice inspired me deeply. Witnessing the process of ideas becoming reality gave me a sense of accomplishment and further ignited my strong interest in urban design. Therefore, when continuing my studies, I chose the urban design major, hoping to have a deeper exploration and learning in this field.

At the same time, studying abroad is not only an opportunity to continue learning, but also an opportunity to experience a diverse educational model. Studying urban design abroad has given me the opportunity to approach rich design concepts from different angles, and it has also allowed me to meet classmates and teachers from different cultural backgrounds and understand their unique understanding and practice of design. I believe that these experiences can not only broaden my horizons and allow me to view urban design more comprehensively, but also enable my design to better express my ideas.

I have always believed that urban design is actually like telling a story. Designing a space is like sketching a beautiful life scene for future people. I hope that my design is not only the architecture and streets of the city, but also a space full of vitality, creating more communication, interaction, and a sense of belonging for people, so that people can feel the warmth and care of the city in this environment.

Reference

Chengdu,Sichuan,China,photo by Ruiyu Duna,2023