Southeast University, UPenn students reimagine cities through design

Students from Southeast University and the University of Pennsylvania conduct field research in Yiwu, Zhejiang. [Photo/Southeast University]

More than 70 students from Southeast University and the University of Pennsylvania wrapped up the 2026 International Summer School on June 2, presenting a series of innovative urban design proposals inspired by China's dynamic commercial landscapes.

Over the course of two weeks, students from the two universities worked on the theme "Urban and Rural Communities Evolving Within Distributed Networks of Flow". Their academic journey took them from Nanjing to Yiwu, one of China's most vibrant trade hubs, where they conducted field research and explored how architecture and urban design can respond to interconnected societies.

The program concluded with the unveiling of 12 design proposals. Combining observations from local markets, neighborhoods and public spaces, the projects examined ways to make cities more adaptive, inclusive and sustainable.

A team proposed a smart redesign for Yiwu's Synapse Road Night Market, envisioning a flexible streetscape that functions as a major traffic corridor by day and transforms into a vibrant marketplace at night. Supported by underground infrastructure and modular service nodes, the concept aims to improve land-use efficiency, enhance safety and reduce environmental impact.

The summer school has become a flagship international exchange initiative. Over the past three years, the program has provided about 300 students with opportunities to explore new possibilities for architectural design. Beyond the classroom, it has fostered lasting friendships between Chinese and US youth while strengthening educational cooperation.