The 6th UNNC Symposium 2025
Date: 26-27 May, 2025
Location: UNNC
The 6th UNNC Symposium 2025: Urban Transition and Renewable Energies
26-27 May, 2025
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Sustainable Built Environment (SBE), Department of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE) at UNNC in collaboration with Department of Urban Planning and Design (UPD) at XJTLU, College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) at Tongji University, and Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design at Ningbo University, Ningbo Land & Resources Association, and Geological Society of Zhejiang are excited to announce our upcoming symposium on “Urban Transition and Renewable Energies”.
The SBE Symposium 2025 invites researchers, scholars, and professionals to submit abstracts for presentations in two exciting themes. We seek innovative contributions that explore the transformation of urban environments and the adoption of renewable energy solutions. Topics may include but are not limited to sustainable urban planning, smart cities, energy-efficient technologies, and advancements in renewable energy systems.
Theme 1. Urban Transition
These sub-themes reflect a broad, interdisciplinary approach to urban transition, with a focus on both the physical and digital transformations necessary for the cities of tomorrow. Submissions are invited across but not limited to:
- Urban-Rural Planning for Sustainable Futures
- Responsive Environment and Inclusive Urban Planning
- Design for Smart and Resilient Cities
- Smart Mobility and Urban Transportation
- Digital Innovation in Urban Design and Infrastructure
Theme 2. Renewable Energies
These sub-themes aim to explore innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and promote occupant well-being in the built environment, focusing on decarbonization, renewable energy, human behavior, and AI-driven innovations for sustainable, resilient built environment. Submissions are invited across but not limited to:
Keynote Speakers
Prof. Soteris Kalogirou
Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus; Editor-in-Chief of Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews; Editor-in-Chief Emeritus / Special Issue Editor of Renewable Energy.
Speech title: Renewable Energy Systems: Current Status in the World and Prospects
Abstract:
This presentation examines the current status of renewables in the world. The presentation starts with some facts about climate change, global warming, and the effects of human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels on the climate problem. It then outlines of the status of renewables in the world, which includes their shares with respect to conventional fuel use for power and for electricity production alone, and their social dimension in terms of jobs created. Then the basic forms of renewables are examined in some detail, which include solar thermal, both for low and high temperature applications, photovoltaics, hydro power, onshore and offshore wind energy systems and biomass/biofuels. In all these the basic technology is presented followed by the current status, the installed capacity in the last decade, which reveals their upward trend, as well as the prospects of the technology and some new research findings.
Keywords: Renewable energy, solar thermal, photovoltaics, wind energy, hydro power, biomass
Prof. Jian Zhuo (卓健)
Chair of Urban Planning Department, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Speech title: The Transformation Development of Urban Mobility at the New Stage of Urban Regeneration in Shanghai
Abstract
Over the past 4 decades, China has undergone a rapid urbanization under the reform and opening up policy. In 2011, the urbanization rate exceeded 50%, reaching 51.27%. Since then, China has become an urbanized country. In this process, urban planning plays an important guiding and regulating role, characterized by the principle of “Planning for growth”. However, the rapid development of urbanization is also accompanied by a series of negative effects, such as spatial sprawl. In 2012, the national government first put forward the new development concept of "new type urbanization". Higher sustainability has become the development orientation of the new stage. The transformation of the urban planning paradigm has become an important task. This presentation takes Shanghai as an example. First, it explains the important development transformation and planning strategies of the new round comprehensive planning of Shanghai – Shanghai 2035. Then, it further elaborates on the important paradigm shift of urban transportation planning in the stage of urban regeneration.
Prof. Yongming Zhang (张永明)
Chair of Building Electrical and Intelligent Engineering Department, Sino-German College Applied Sciences, Tongji University
Speech title: DC micro-grid in buildings considering PV, elevator regeneration and EV Charging
Abstract
A DC micro-grid considering photovoltaics, elevator regeneration and electric vehicle charging is explored in this paper. Elevator power regeneration is reused based on a direct current (DC) micro-grid. Then, an innovative, energy-efficient device for the elevator group is designed based on a supercapacitor. In a high-rise building case study, the experimental test and field data collection show that this approach could save energy within 15.87–23.1% and 24.1–54.5%, respectively. It is expected that the DC micro-grid in buildings could be practically.
Prof. Shuqin Chen (陈淑琴)
Vice-director of Building Technology Institute, Zhejiang University
Speech title: Optimized Design and Operation of Low-Carbon Distributed Energy Systems: Methods, Data, and Cases
Abstract
This presentation introduces the optimization design and operation methods, required database, and case studies of low-carbon distributed energy systems for building clusters from the energy demand side and energy supply side, respectively. Firstly, from the demand side, two rapid prediction models for the loads of building clusters coupled with stochastic operation of energy equipment are developed, and the case studies are conduct to predict the loads of campus buildings, with the forecasting accuracy of more than 90%. On this basis, a database of China's building energy use elements is established. Through questionnaires and real-time monitoring, data on building performance, number and performance of equipment, equipment operation, and indoor environment under different climate zones were collected, totaling more than 14,000 questionnaires, about 700 buildings and 275million pieces of monitoring data. For the energy supply side, considering the uncertainty of energy use and photovoltaic power generation, together with the variable working conditions of the equipment, a multi-objective robust optimization design model of low-carbon integrated energy system is established, with a case study of optimized capacity design in a technology park. Finally, for the optimized operation of the energy system, a flexible optimized operation model based on grid demand response is established for a centralized hot water system on a university campus as an example, and a case study is carried out, which improves the comfort of hot water temperature and achieves a saving of 30% of operation cost.
Important Date
- Abstract Submission Deadline: April 27, 2025
- Acceptance Notice: May 5, 2025
- Conference Dates: May 26-27, 2025
- Registration Deadline: May 15, 2025
Registration
Registration Link
https://forms.office.com/r/jHQ8AsPiH6
Fees
Category
Student Registration
Regular Registration
Registration Fee
Free
RMB 600
The registration fee covers conference costs, refreshments, and lunch.
Payment
Domestic Bank Transfer 国内转账
Bank 收款银行：中国银行
Branch 分行名称：中国银行宁波市分行
Bank Add. 银行地址：中国宁波鼎泰路255号
Acc. Name 帐户名：宁波诺丁汉大学
Acc. NO. 银行账号：376658330575
International Wire Transfer
Bank Name: Bank of China Ningbo Branch
Bank Add.: 255 Dingtai Road Ningbo China
Swift Code: BKCHCNBJ92A
Acc. Name: The University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Acc. Number: 376658330575
Submission Guideline
Abstract
Please submit your abstract (maximum 400 words) using the provided template to SBE2025@nottingham.edu.cn.
Language: English
Presentation Format
Oral presentation in English, 15 minutes each including Q&A.
Publication Opportunities
Journal Special Issues
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- Renewable Energy
- Journal of Urban Management
- Intelligent Buildings International
- Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
Full papers for publication consideration are due by October 20, 2025. The list of publication is subject to ongoing updates.
Programme
For a more detailed presentation schedule, please refer to the live document:
https://shorturl.at/xL8w9
Registration Desk opens at 3pm 25 May 2025.
Hotels and Transportation
Hotels
We suggest the following hotels near the campus for your convenience:
Transportation
从宁波栎社国际机场出发到宁波诺丁汉大学1号门
从宁波站出发到宁波诺丁汉大学1号门
From Ningbo Lishe International Airport to Gate 1 of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Taxi: Approximately 13 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 17 minutes.
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Public Transport: Take Subway Line 2, then transfer to Bus No. 132. The total travel time is approximately 1 hour.
From Ningbo Railway Station to Gate 1 of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China
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Taxi: Approximately 11 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 28 minutes.
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Public Transport: Take Subway Line 4, then transfer to Bus No. 177. The total travel time is approximately 53 minutes.
Host and Partner Institutes
Host Institutes
Department of Architecture and Built Environment (ABE) and Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) Research Group, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Partner Institutes
- Department of Urban Planning and Design (UPD), Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), Tongji University
- Pan Tianshou College of Architecture and Art Design, Ningbo University
- Ningbo Land & Resources Association
- Geological Society of Zhejiang
Organization Committee
Dr. Yina Sima, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Runqi Liang, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Paola Pellegrini, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Bing Chen, Head of Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Yuanli Ma, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture and Art Design, Ningbo University
Dr. Huajuan An, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University
Dr. Edward Cooper, Head of Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Prof. Wu Deng, Head of Sustainable Built Environment Research Group, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Rabee Reffat, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Andrea Palmioli, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Tong Yang, Faculty of Science & Technology, Middlesex University, London, UK
Scientific Committee
Prof. Yupeng Wu, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham United Kingdom
Prof. Baojie He, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University
Prof. Yi Chen, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Prof. Deo Prasad, School of Built Environment, University of New South Wales
Prof. Yu Liu, School of Architecture, Northwestern Polytechnical University
Dr. Bing Chen, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Paola Pellegrini, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Xuefeng Wang, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Jinglu Song, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Juhyun Lee, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Yitian Ren, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Dr. Yanhui Lei, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University
Prof. Caixia Gao, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University
Prof. Hai Lu, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University
Dr. Yuanli Ma, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture and Art Design, Ningbo University
Dr. Ruyun Xu, Pan Tianshou College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ningbo University
Dr. Rosangela Tenorio, UWA Design School, The University of Western Australia
Prof. Xingxing Zhang, School of Information and Engineering, Dalarna University
Dr. Hua Zhong, College of Technology and Environment, London South Bank University
Dr. Tong Yang, Faculty of Science & Technology, Middlesex University, London, UK
Prof. Wu Deng, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Edward Cooper, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Rabee Reffat, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Zhiang Zhang, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Andrea Palmioli, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Giaime Botti, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Dr. Tongyu Zhou, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China
Contact
Secretary Team
Ms. Mengyuan Chen
Ms. Lu Yu
Mr. Chaohui Zheng
For more information or inquiries, please feel free to contact us via: SBE2025@nottingham.edu.cn