Yiting Zhao | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Yiting Zhao | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Researcher Award

Researcher | The University of Manchester | United Kingdom

Dr. Yiting Zhao is a researcher at The University of Manchester, United Kingdom, whose academic work is dedicated to advancing knowledge at the intersection of Complex Product–Service Systems (CoPSS), sustainable design, and responsible project management within the built environment and civil engineering management sectors. Her interdisciplinary research integrates principles of engineering design, digitalization, and sustainability to create innovative frameworks that guide the development of smart buildings and sustainable infrastructure systems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Yiting Zhao’s scholarly portfolio encompasses several peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters. Notably, her 2025 publication in the Journal of Cleaner Production, titled “Advancing Complex Product–Service Systems (CoPSS) Design: An Integrative Literature Review,” presents a comprehensive synthesis of methodological developments in sustainable product–service integration. Her other research contributions include the studies “Integrating Sustainable Design and Responsible Project Management: Methodological Insights from a Smart Hospital Case Study” and “The Integration of Sustainable Design and Responsible Project Management in Designing Complex Product–Service Systems.” These works bridge theoretical frameworks and practical applications, highlighting the importance of co-creation, stakeholder collaboration, and system optimization in sustainable infrastructure design. Employing diverse methodologies such as conceptual modeling, semi-structured interviews, and data-driven analytical approaches, Dr. Yiting Zhao’s research investigates the dynamic interactions among design processes, service delivery mechanisms, and management efficiency in large-scale engineering systems. Her recent studies also explore smart building management, intelligent HVAC design, and circular design strategies to enhance environmental and operational performance. In recognition of her impactful research and academic excellence, Dr. Yiting Zhao received the prestigious IEEE TEMSCON Global 2025 Best Student Paper Award. Her growing scholarly influence-reflected by 15 citations, 1 document and an h-index of 1 on Scopus-demonstrates her commitment to driving sustainable engineering innovation and advancing interdisciplinary research in the fields of engineering design, sustainability, and digital transformation.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar | Researcher Profile

Featured Publications

1. Wang, Y., Zhao, Y., Tian, X., Yang, J., & Luo, S. (2025). The influence of subjective knowledge, technophobia and perceived enjoyment on design students’ intention to use artificial intelligence design tools. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 35(1), 333–358.

2. Zhao, Y., Xie, C., & Lu, M. (2021). Design of smart building operations and maintenance management service system. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (pp. 183–190). Springer.

3. Zhao, Y., & Zhang, J. (2020). Research on the design of smart waste classification and collection service system. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics (pp. 275–282). Springer.

4. Zhao, Y. (2015). The influence of the development of 3D printing technology on product design [3D 打印技术的发展对产品设计的影响]. China Machinery, 40–41.

5. Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Maytorena-Sanchez, E., & Zhang, J. (2025). Advancing complex product–service systems (CoPSS) design: An integrative literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 527, 146690.

Wei Dong | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Research Article Award

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Prof. Wei Dong | Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities | Best Research Article Award

Vice Dean | School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology | China

Prof. Wei Dong, Vice Dean at the School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, is an accomplished scholar whose research bridges architecture, urban planning, and public health. With 22 peer-reviewed journal publications indexed in SCI and Scopus, two authored books, and five patents, his work focuses on urban regeneration, healthy city development, and sustainable built environments. His studies integrate interdisciplinary approaches-spanning medicine, climatology, and ecology-to construct a comprehensive framework for community health and environmental design. Prof. Wei Dong has led and completed multiple National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) projects, including research on decision-support systems for residential area renewal in Northeast industrial regions and environmental regeneration in historical urban blocks. His ongoing projects explore planning regulation mechanisms to enhance social health and urban livability. With over 160 citations, 21 documents and an h-index of 4 (Scopus), his contributions demonstrate significant academic impact in urban design and health-oriented planning. His innovative research reveals the complex interactions among built environment characteristics, resident behavior, and environmental perception, identifying threshold effects and multi-level spatial factors influencing physiological and psychological well-being. Additionally, he investigates microclimate dynamics and urban biodiversity, employing bird diversity as an ecological indicator to evaluate community environments. Prof. Wei Dong’s research achievements extend to consultancy projects, editorial roles, and international collaborations-most notably with Dr. Jason Cao (University of Minnesota)-enhancing cross-disciplinary insights into sustainable city design. As a recognized member of the International Association for China Planning (IACP), he continues to advance data-driven urban policy, integrating health metrics and environmental parameters into spatial design frameworks. His work contributes meaningfully to R&D innovation and scientific understanding of urban systems that foster resilience, inclusivity, and well-being in modern cities.

Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | ResearchGate | Researcher ID

Featured Publications

1. Yu Dong, Jiaqi Cai, Wei Dong, Naidi Wang, Qi An. The impact of Urban residential areas on bird diversity: A case study from Harbin, Northeast China[J]. Habitat International, Volume 163, 2025, 103463, ISSN 0197-3975, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2025.103463.

2. Wei Dong, Runsheng Jiang, Yu Dong, Ang Qu, Yuan Yuan. Relationship between LCZ and physical activity in residential areas: A mediating role of perceptions of heat risks in climate change[J]. Urban Climate, Volume 61, 2025, 102425, ISSN 2212-0955,

3. Wei Dong, Naidi Wang, Yu Dong, Jason Cao. Examining the nonlinear and interactive effects of built environment characteristics on travel satisfaction[J]. Journal of Transport Geography, Volume 123, 2025, 104111, ISSN 0966-6923, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104111.

4. Dong Wei, Dong Yu, Li Hanzhe, etc Synopsis: Challenges and Prospects of Urban Building Renewal in Cold Regions [J]. Contemporary Architecture, 2025, (02):72-77.

5. Liu Chun, Zhang Shangwu, Feng Jian, etc Exploration and Future Directions of the Application of “Urban Area Scope” in the Context of National Spatial Planning [J]. Journal of Natural Resources, 2024, 39 (10): 2497-2504.