Top Prize for Greenwich Student in Sustainable Communities Award
A University of Greenwich student has won a top prize in a new national awards scheme which champions bright ideas for creating better places.
Zhaobo Liang, who has just completed his studies in MA Landscape Architecture, was one of six student winners at the Academy for Sustainable Communities’ Future Vision 07 Awards. He was judged to have come up with the best proposals for a space of the future, with his scheme to create a “doorstep community open space”. His ideas included a safe courtyard area for local residents, offering space for children to play, alongside cafes and restaurants.
His prize includes a £1,000 cash award plus a work placement with the Sustainable Development Foundation. About to enrol for a Masters degree, Zhaobo eventually aims to work in a consultancy which specialises in creating sustainable design solutions.
Zhaobo says: “I have tried to solve the problem of how to create vibrant community spaces, with a place for both young people and elderly residents in the sort of typical, high density terraced streets of South East London. I was inspired by courtyards found in China, called Siheyuan. My degree studies taught me a lot about the principles of sustainable development which I have been able to apply to this design.”
Tom Turner, Zhaobo's tutor at the University of Greenwich, says: "This is an honour for Zhaobo and for the university. Zhaobo came to us from South China and took a particular interest in sustainable landscape design. Having recently returned from a visit to China, I believe this is a subject of great current importance and hope the award will encourage both Zhaobo and China to develop this aspect of sustainable urban design. In view of the threat from climate change, the future of the world may even depend upon it. The University gives its congratulations and best wishes to Zhaobo'.
Dr Gill Taylor from the Academy for Sustainable Communities says: “The creation and maintenance of sustainable communities requires fresh approaches, bold vision and inspired thinking.
“I would like to applaud Zhaobo Liang for his inspirational future vision. Young people are integral to the successful delivery of sustainable communities and this high-profile award scheme gives us a useful insight into how young people see local communities evolving. Engaging with the professionals and citizens of tomorrow will help shape the future of the sustainable communities agenda”.
Notes for editors
1. The Academy for Sustainable Communities (ASC) is a new national and international centre of excellence for the skills and knowledge needed to create communities fit for the 21st century.
For information and images contact:
Hester Brown
Press Officer
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 7663
hester.brown@gre.ac.uk