World Environment Day, observed on June 5th, is a significant occasion for the global community to focus on environmental protection and promote the harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. Against this backdrop, the practices of Chinese architect Liu Weibing have attracted particular attention. As Chairman of the Eco-Habitat Committee of the World Green Design Organization (WGDO) and Chairman of Sichuan David Architectural Design Co., Ltd., he is using architecture as a medium to write an important chapter for sustainable development.

Liu Weibing holds multiple titles: Professor-level Senior Architect, Member of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Member of the Cultural Committee of the Central Committee of the China Democratic National Construction Association (CDNCA), Senior Member of the Architectural Society of China, Member of the China Green Building and Energy Conservation Committee, Member of the Historical and Cultural Expert Group of the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Director of the Urban Sustainable Development Committee of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade in Construction, and Member of the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB). These titles are not only a high recognition of his professional competence, but also a testament to his continuous exploration and active contributions in architecture and related fields.

Tracing the Origin: An Inseparable Bond with Green Building

During his research on Linpan, Liu Weibing noticed its distinctive community governance model of "work in lieu of fees": residents offset part of their expenses by participating in public affairs. This practice not only strengthened residents' sense of belonging, but also reduced management costs, embodying a simple yet wise concept of community governance. It made him realize that green building is not only a technical issue, but also relates to community participation, sense of belonging, and a sustainable lifestyle.

In the construction of the Chengdu Park City Demonstration Zone, based on his profound understanding of Linpan, Liu Weibing proposed the renewal strategy of "consolidating farmland, protecting forests, managing water systems, and renovating courtyards". Like a set of integrated measures, this strategy skillfully integrates modern green concepts such as green building, low-carbon transportation, and the application of renewable energy into Linpan renovation. He advocates the design philosophy of "reflecting on the past, focusing on the cutting-edge, and reconciling with nature". In his view, only by respecting history, grounding itself in the present, and conforming to nature can architecture with genuine vitality be created. His representative works, including the Protection and Renewal of Sichuan Linpan Settlements, Danling Xingfuling Eco-B&B Settlement, and the Renovation of Linpan Complexes, all embody this philosophy.

Practicing: Promoting the Diversified Development of Green Concepts

At the 14th International Green Building & Building Energy Conservation Conference & New Technologies and Products Expo in 2018, taking Linpan renewal as an example, he put forward the concept of "ecological industrial chain", emphasizing that urban renewal must give consideration to both ecological benefits and cultural identity. The proposal of this concept has aroused extensive attention from the international architectural community, providing new ideas for global urban renewal.

In 2023, when delivering a speech at UN-Habitat, Liu Weibing pointed out: "A low-carbon city is not a pile of technologies, but a reconstruction of the relationship between humanity and nature." This view, like a wake-up call, has aroused the international academic community's renewed attention to "Oriental ecological philosophy", and let the world see China's unique wisdom in the construction of low-carbon cities. In March this year, at the 9th International Conference on Energy and Environmental Science (ICEES 2025), Liu Weibing's paper was included in the conference proceedings, and he was also invited to deliver a keynote speech, with his research achievements attracting great attention from the international academic community. In addition, his thinking and practice on the integration of low-carbon habitat and regional culture have also become teaching cases in universities such as the University of Reading and University College London, providing valuable practical materials for global green building education.

Looking Ahead: Continuously Leading the New Trend of Green Building

On January 14, 2025, at the WGDO Summit held in Brussels, Liu Weibing was awarded the highly prestigious 2024 International Contribution Award for Green Design, becoming one of only four winners worldwide. This award fully recognizes his 37 years of dedication to the protection and renewal of traditional rural settlements in Sichuan, and the integration of green and low-carbon concepts into contemporary ecological habitat design. It also marks that China's green building design has reached the international advanced level, helping to enhance the overall image and competitiveness of China's architectural community in the world, and strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and other countries in the field of green design.

Throughout Liu Weibing's 37-year architectural career, he has always practiced public welfare concepts, environmental protection concepts, and the concept of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature with firm faith and unremitting efforts. With his practical actions, he has set an example for the architectural industry, showing the world the huge potential of architecture in promoting environmental protection and social sustainable development.