I hold a PhD in Architecture from the University of Nottingham, UK, specializing in 20th-century heritage conservation and management. I joined the Department of Urban Planning and Design at XJTLU in 2011, where I lead undergraduate and postgraduate urban design studios and teach the theoretical module on heritage conservation.

My research focuses on heritage urban conservation and management, with a particular interest in the socio-cultural dynamics of heritage-led regeneration in both urban and rural contexts. I explore the competing interests and narratives surrounding heritage designation and interpretation, including post-war social housing, colonial architecture, and the adaptive reuse of obsolete industrial and institutional sites such as slaughterhouses, prisons, and asylums.

My work also examines how cultural heritage intersects with urban development—ranging from promoting inbound tourism through international social media to leveraging creative industry initiatives for industrial heritage regeneration, and using AR and digital storytelling tools for immersive heritage interpretation.

Beyond academia, I lead practice-based research initiatives and interdisciplinary design workshops that support gradual physical and socio-economic transformations in historic cities. Working with international partners, planning and tourism authorities, and local communities, my work builds from the ground up—engaging communities as active partners in regeneration and fostering a shared sense of ownership of cultural heritage.

urban conservation and heritage-led regeneration

20th-century heritage conservation

industrial heritage and adaptive reuse

historic rural landscape and community-based tourism development

uncomfortable heritage and dark tourism

Senior Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University - 2022 to present

Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University - 2016 to 2022

Visiting Scholar, School of Architecture, Planning Landscape, Newcastle University - 2016

Lecturer, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xiapos;an Jiaotong-Liverpool University - 2011 to 2016

Postgraduate Research Assistant, Urban Design Research Group, Departmetn of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham - 2010 to 2011

Design Studio Tutor, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham - 2007 to 2009

Project Designer, Yan-Liang Lin Architect amp; Associates - 2004 to 2005

Interior Designer, Sustainable Design House - 2003 to 2005

Research Assistant, Department of Architecture, Tunghai University - 1999 to 2003

UPD404 Heritage, Historic Districts and Conservation

UPD407 Place Making and Urban Design

UPDCDE404 Heritage, Historic Districts and Conservation

UPDCDE407 Place Making and Urban Design

UPDCDE409 Dissertation

UPDCDE002 Introduction to Urban Planning amp; Design

UPDCDE101 Issues and Practice of Planning in China I

UPDCDE106 Issues and Practice of Planning in China II

UPDCDE109 History and Purpose of Planning

UPDCDE202 Rural Planning

UPDCDE205 Planning Methodology

UPDCDE207 Spatial Design and the Built Environment I

UPDCDE305 Final Year Project and Dissertation

UPDCDE306 Urban Design Project

UPDCDE307 Urban Design