This is a HYBRID event, register at the link above to receive the ZOOM link or join us in person at 306 Coble Hall.
About the Talk:
Some of the world’s most ambitious eco-cities have been built in China. In this talk, Dr. Chiu-Shee explores this phenomenon to reflect on the ideals and practices of “the ecological city.” While urban scholarship has found many failures in existing practices, new forms of eco-cities continue spawning across China and other parts of the world. Are eco-cities mere greenwashing? Have there been any meaningful attempts? Do practices of “the ecological city” carry transformative potentials? And, what should “being ecological” mean in contemporary cities? Dr. Chiu-Shee will address these questions and invite dialogues about how we should (re)imagine our ecological urban futures.
About the Speaker:
Colleen Chiu-Shee brings a professional background in architecture and urban design as well as scholarly training in social sciences. She is broadly interested in pathways toward more sustainable urban futures. Her research explores innovative spatial, social, and policy interventions that seek to reform existing practices to foster environmental sustainability and socio-ecological equity. Dr. Chiu-Shee’s doctoral dissertation critically examined eco-cities in China and reflected on how developing countries forged adaptive capacity while grappling with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and rapid urbanization. Building on her dissertation, Dr. Chiu-Shee has employed a comparative and relational approach to explore green city practices in broader international contexts.
More information about Dr. Chiu-Shee here: https://urban.illinois.edu/people/profiles/colleen-chiu-shee/