Future City is the second part of a series of panel discussions and networking events launched by DAAD IC Shanghai and German Centre Shanghai. The aim is bringing together DAAD and Germany-Alumni, a scientific crowd, economic stakeholders and creative leaders to discuss future trends in China.

The panel discussion “Future City” focusses on architectural and environmental impulses to discuss, how cities become appealing places to live in. Shanghai inherits many contrasting phenomena at once.

A giant scale high rise architecture co-existing with old quarters:
The sensitive status of the lòng táng and its increasing demolition poses the question, how a sustainable urban renewal would look like.

The cities permanent growth versus its limited natural resources:
A constantly growing demand for clean water, food and energy as well as its challenges for the city´s supply and disposal require smart environmental technologies and management tools as well as good governance. Projects such as Chongming Island, the first Chinese eco-island next to Shanghai, the rapid implementation of waste segregation and Shanghai´s efforts to reduce plastic waste (e.g. ban of free plastic bags) are important steps towards a more sustainable development.

Smart design and the digital city faces:
Automatization of buildings such as implementing intelligent materials or lighting control become ever more important.

User well-being experiences:
Nevertheless, a role model city has to stay a social and human centered place. Therefore, user well-being solutions e.g. appealing work places or urban gardening play a vivid role in stimulating progress and a sustainable community building.