Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture | China
Zhen Yang is an accomplished scholar and Associate Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture. With a strong academic foundation and extensive professional experience, he has made significant contributions to the fields of urban and regional planning, low-carbon urban development, and sustainable city growth. His research integrates heritage conservation, ecological planning, and public service optimization to address the evolving challenges of metropolitan areas, historic cities, and emerging urban clusters in China.
Professional Profile
Education
He obtained his doctoral degree in Human Geography (Urban and Regional Planning) from Peking University, where he pursued a combined master’s and doctoral program. His undergraduate education was in Urban Planning from Central South University, equipping him with a solid interdisciplinary foundation spanning geography, planning, and urban development.
Professional Experience
Zhen Yang has served as an Associate Professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture since 2017, where he has been involved in teaching, research, and academic leadership. His professional journey includes key contributions to national and regional planning initiatives, such as his secondment to the Xiong’an New Area Management Committee and practical roles in Beijing Municipal Planning bodies. He has also actively participated in urban design, regional development strategy, and heritage conservation projects across several provinces, including Hebei, Shandong, Fujian, and Guangdong.
Research Interests
His research primarily focuses on urban spatial growth models, low-carbon development pathways, metropolitan transportation hubs, and the coupling mechanisms between urban form and environmental resources. He has contributed to the development of frameworks for public service facility optimization, heritage-ecology integrated planning, and sustainable community service networks. His work also extends to the assessment of sports facilities, cultural heritage conservation along historical corridors such as the Ming Great Wall and the Grand Canal, and cross-boundary pollution governance in the Greater Bay Area. With a growing focus on carbon neutrality and ecological civilization, his studies have explored spatial performance under dual-carbon goals, urban wind–heat environments, and PM2.5 concentration correlations with land development intensity.
Awards and Honors
Zhen Yang has received several prestigious awards, including the Xiong’an New Area Planning and Construction Outstanding Contribution Award and recognition for his leadership in the “Memory of Nostalgia” heritage protection initiative in Xiong’an. He has also guided students to win international and national prizes in urban sustainability and architecture competitions, including multiple awards from the World Urban Planning Education Network (WUPEN) and the “Qingrun Award” in architectural education. His academic excellence was recognized during his student years with multiple honors, including Outstanding Student Awards at Peking University.
Publications
Yang, Z., Li, J. (2023). Measurement Methods and Improvement Strategies for Urban Spatial Performance under the Carbon Neutrality Context. Wuhan: Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press.
Yang, Z., Li, J., Li, Y., et al. (2024). The Impact of Urban Spatial Environment on COVID-19: A Case Study in Beijing. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. (SSCI Q1)
Li, J., Yang, Z., Zhao, X., et al. (2024). Correlation between Urban Wind–Heat Environment and Urban Development Elements in High-Density Urban Areas: A Case Study of Central Shanghai. Buildings, 14(2), 315. (SCI Q2)
Huang, X., Yang, Z., Lin, J., et al. (2024). Spillover Effects of Children’s Outdoor Activity Space Allocation in High-Density Urban Areas: A Case Study of Beijing. Buildings, 14(9), 2872. (SCI Q2)
Jia, M., Zhang, H., Yang, Z.# (2022). Compactness or Sprawl: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Understanding Urban Growth Patterns in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region, China. Ecological Indicators, 138. (SCI Q1)
Conclusion
Through a blend of academic rigor, applied research, and professional practice, Zhen Yang continues to advance urban and regional planning scholarship in China. His work exemplifies the integration of sustainable development principles, cultural heritage preservation, and modern urban demands, shaping innovative models for low-carbon and resilient city growth. As a dedicated educator and researcher, he has played a pivotal role in mentoring future urban planners and contributing to the transformation of major city clusters such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Xiong’an New Area. His multi-dimensional approach bridges theory and practice, offering solutions that align with China’s national strategies on carbon neutrality, ecological civilization, and urban renewal.