LOUD has successfully passed the acceptance inspection!

On May 16, 2024, the acceptance meeting for the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Urban Design and Urban Science (LOUD) was held at NYU Shanghai. LOUD successfully passed the acceptance inspection conducted by the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission. Leaders and experts attending the meeting included Professor Yu Yifan, Director of the Lifelong Friendly Community Research Center at Tongji University; Professor Zeng Gang, Dean of the Institute of Urban Development at East China Normal University; Professor Wu Jiannan, Executive Deputy Dean of the China Urban Governance Research Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Professor Yu Zhaowu, Researcher at the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Fudan University; Professor Xie Weiqun, Deputy Director of the Research Management Department at Shanghai University; Vice President Ding Shuzhe of NYU Shanghai; Co-director of LOUD, ChengHe Guan; and Ying Li, among others.

Vice President Ding Shuzhe of NYU Shanghai extended a warm welcome to all the leaders and experts. He introduced the three major characteristics of NYU Shanghai: internationalization, research-oriented, and comprehensive education. Among them, the research-oriented approach is the most challenging development direction, as it requires addressing significant societal needs and issues, including artificial intelligence, applied mathematics, data science, and more. The culmination of these areas lies in urban design and urban science, as urban development integrates the most advanced technological elements. The establishment of LOUD at NYU Shanghai could not have been achieved without the efforts of Professor ChengHe Guan and Professor Ying Li, the guidance of the Science Commission, and the support from all sectors of society. In the development of NYU Shanghai, LOUD represents a significant contribution.

The Laboratory Division of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission introduced the background of LOUD's construction, expressing hope that under the leadership of Professor ChengHe Guan and Professor Ying Li, the laboratory would address the urban needs of Shanghai. They encouraged the laboratory to fully leverage the international and research-oriented characteristics of NYU Shanghai, continue to attract outstanding talent from both domestic and international sources, conduct interdisciplinary research, and integrate industry, academia, and research for better support in the coordinated development of Shanghai, the Yangtze River Delta, and even the entire country.

Co-director of LOUD, ChengHe Guan, and Professor Ying Li reported on the laboratory's construction from six aspects: an overview of the laboratory, research topics, academic exchanges, the construction of an integrated innovation platform for industry, academia, research, and application, current achievements, and future plans. They stated that in the future, LOUD will continue to delve deeper into three research directions under the umbrella of computational urban science: smart cities, low-carbon cities, and blue-green cities. Additionally, they will actively enhance LOUD's influence as a hub for research innovation and cultural exchange, attracting more domestic and international scholars for research collaboration.

After rounds of expert questioning, project team defense, and expert review, Professor Yu Yifan, the head of the expert group, announced the acceptance results: The experts unanimously agreed that LOUD had completed all the assessment indicators specified in the planning task book for the establishment phase. The submitted acceptance documents and related materials were complete and in compliance with the acceptance requirements, and they agreed to pass the acceptance. It was suggested that LOUD further refine its direction, focus on tasks, and continue to promote talent team building and scientific research.