Under the theme of "Green Design Engineers Building a Green and Sustainable Urban Future", this year’s World Green Design Forum gathered more than 1,000 distinguished guests from governmental institutions, international organizations, research institutes and leading enterprises across over 50 countries. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on pathways for green transition and urban sustainable development.

Forum Status: A Global "Bellwether" for Green Design

Since its integration into the core agenda of the ZGC Forum in 2021, the World Green Design Forum has evolved into a vital link connecting China, Europe and the wider world in advancing green development. Hosted by the World Green Design Organization (WGDO)—the first EU-accredited non-profit organization driving global climate action through green design, and holder of Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)—the forum’s International Contribution Award for Green Design is hailed as the "Oscar of the Green Design Industry". This year’s forum focused on the integration of green design technologies and new productive forces, and strove to inject fresh vitality into green innovation in Beijing and the globe by honoring outstanding talents and enterprises and promoting the joint construction of green and low-carbon cities.

Liu Weibing: Three Decades of Dedication to Weaving "Green Symbiosis" Between Rural and Urban Areas

Liu Weibing’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in the protection and renewal of traditional rural settlements in Sichuan. By researching regional architectural forms such as Sichuan Linpan (forest-cluster villages) and watchtowers, he has re-examined the ecological value of local materials like bamboo and wood. Integrating the wisdom of traditional human settlements with contemporary low-carbon building energy-saving technologies, he has constructed sustainable living spaces characterized by "minimal intervention and high ecological value". A notable example is his eco-homestay project in the ancient village of Danling, Meishan in Sichuan—the hometown of Su Dongpo. This project not only preserves traditional rammed earth brick craftsmanship and mountain residential design strategies, but also introduces a small-scale artificial biofilm reclaimed water system, cutting carbon emissions by over 40%. It has been awarded the UN Asian Urban Landscape Award and designated as a global demonstration case by the WGDO.

From COP29 to Zhongguancun: All-Bamboo Architecture Interprets Eastern Ecological Wisdom

WGDO’s Mission: Building a China-Europe Bridge for Green Cooperation

In his speech, Joe Lyne, Honorary President of the WGDO, emphasized that green design is a pivotal tool for addressing the climate crisis. Since its establishment in 2013, the WGDO has promoted the cross-border application of green technologies, materials and standards through China-Europe cooperation projects. A prime example is the zero-carbon community project jointly advanced by Liu Weibing’s team and the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL) in the UK, which stands as a model of China-Europe collaborative innovation.

Epilogue: Green Design, Unlocking the Door to the Future