From May 25th to June 1st, 2016, a 20-member delegation of Global Urban Development Program of Sichuan University (SCU GUDP), headed by Prof. Xiong Feng, Dean of College of Architecture and Environment, paid a visit to Stanford University for academic exchange on GUDP achievements.
Visit to Stanford University and Silicon Valley
On May 25th, the team arrived at its first stop, Stanford Resource Recovery Center (SRRC).
SCU GUDP team, Dr. Sebastien Tilmans and Teacher Derek in front of SSRC
On May 26th, we reached Institute for the Environment. They attended the Stanford University GUDP team’s internal debriefing and discussion, and then visited LEED-platinum certified Y2E2 Building and the Center’s ecological courtyard.
Held an internal debriefing and discussion inside Y2E2 Building
Then we visited the Central Energy Facility (CEF) which had been put under operation for more than one year. This energy center supplies power for over 300 buildings within the campus as well as water needed for heating and cooling.
Visit to CEF Central System Control Room
On May 27th, in the celebrated Silicon Valley, the team visited ZeroWaste Energy Development Co., Ltd., the biggest company in the US engaging in organic waste treatment by virtue of dry fermentation technology. We learned the heat recovery, reclaimed water use and some other steps, especially the sustainable development
Visit to ZeroWaste
In the afternoon, we observed Stanford University GUDP Team’s achievement report made to the planning and housing departments under the Civic Center as well as related organizations.
During the 3-day tour, all teachers and students of SCU GUDP team cherished each learning and exchange opportunity, and benefited a lot from active thinking, questioning and discussion.
Successful GUDP Presentation and Exchange in Stanford University
On May 31st, the team presented GUDP’s research achievement covering sustainable development of Chengdu Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone (South Park).
Five professors and fourteen students of Stanford University attended the presentation. Prof. Lu Hongyan, a member of SCU GUDP team, gave a brief and humorous warm-up introduction, followed by students’ presentation composed of general introduction, traffic organization, public space and project summary. Subsequently, Luo Xiaoxuan, Xiong Zixiao, Liu Dan, Li You presented a professional and relaxing report.
During Q&A, the GUDP teams of the two universities engaged in a heated discussion. Prof. Leckie, an academician and GUDP Director of Stanford University, delivered a conclusive speech with high appraisal and heartfelt thanks to SCU GUDP team.
Prof.Feng XIONG and Prof. Leckie
Took a group photo as a memento of the one-year cooperative program
After the presentation, the two parties discussed the further collaboration in the future. Stanford highly praised the achievements of Sichuan University in talents cultivation of urban sustainable development. Stanford was looking forward to further scientific cooperation with Sichuan University.
Experiencing Stanford University’s Passion for Innovation
SCU GUDP team was also briefed about the glory achieved by Mr. Derek, a young scholar of Stanford University, and his team in International Solar Decathlon (SDC) 2013-2014.
Attended the term-end presentation of Urban Study course
On June 1st, we were invited to attend the Sustainable Urban System Symposium at Stanford sponsored by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of Stanford University and presided by Prof. Leckie. During the symposium, relevant scholars and professors from scientific and social institutions in San Francisco Bay Area and Stanford University gave respective keynote speeches and conducted discussions centering on sustainable urban development.
During the 8-day visit, through exchange and discussion with some of Stanford faculty and students as well as site visit to research bases, the SCU GUDP team achieved a better understanding of Stanford University’s “Global Sustainable Urban Development” curriculum oriented at actual projects on the basis of interdisciplinary and professional perspective. The team also had a close observation and experience of Stanford University and American society. This academic exchange not only turns out to be a precious learning journey for all of the team members, but offers an access for related specialties and disciplines of Sichuan University to joint exploration of sustainable curricula construction. More importantly, it will lay a solid foundation for further teaching and research cooperation and exchange between Sichuan University and Stanford University. We, the teachers and students majoring in Environmental Science and Engineering, Urban and Rural Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering and Economics respectively, would like to express thanks to our Sichuan University for providing us such a valuable platform for learning and exchange.