From March 26 to 29, 2026, the 2026 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning was held at the University of Hong Kong, China. Co-organized by the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR) and the University of Hong Kong, the conference brought together over 600 experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions, establishing itself as a highly influential international academic platform in the fields of natural resources and planning.

At the conference, the "Luzhou Luke Market Vegetable Market Renovation Project," submitted by Sichuan Dawei Design Co., Ltd., successfully won the International Award for Best Practice in Natural Resources and Planning (IABP). This international recognition marks China's achievements in integrating urban renewal with public welfare services as being among the world's best.

Scene of the 2026 International Conference on Natural Resources and Planning

The conference was attended by nearly 600 scientists, experts, scholars, teachers, and students from UN-Habitat and over 20 countries including China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Laos, as well as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan regions of China.

Professor Muhammad Qasim Jan, President of iAONR

The IABP Award is established by the International Association of Natural Resources (iAONR). iAONR is a globally influential international academic organization in the field of natural resources science and governance, bringing together leading scholars and practitioners from disciplines such as natural resources science, geography, ecology, energy and mining, environmental engineering, legal policy, and public governance, forming an international collaboration network bridging scientific research and practical application.

This award is the most authoritative and highest-level industry award in the international field of natural resources and planning, recognizing global best practices in natural resources conservation, spatial planning, and sustainable development. Known for its rigorous evaluation system, multidisciplinary background, and high participation of international experts, the award classifies projects into nine categories based on project attributes: Climate Resilience, Ecological Restoration, Green and Low-Carbon, Age-Friendliness, Heritage Revival, Urban Renewal, Rural Revitalization, Business Environment, and Smart Innovation. It showcases exemplary best practices from around the world in natural resources governance and spatial planning.

Award Certificate

Winning organizations from China mainly include Peking University, Tongji University, Shenzhen Urban Planning and Land Resources Research Center, Sichuan Dawei Design Co., Ltd., and other universities and institutions. Sichuan Dawei Design's winning project, the "Luzhou Luke Market Vegetable Market Renovation Project," upgrades the market from a simple "shopping basket" into an "urban cultural living room" that integrates intangible cultural heritage preservation, local consumption, community social interaction, and smart services, allowing the city's vibrant local culture and life to coexist harmoniously. The judging committee highly praised Dawei Design's commitment to "insisting on the idea of preserving local character and cultural heritage in scientifically analyzed urban renewal and public welfare improvement."

The renovation process fully implemented evidence-based design methods, avoiding empirical models. In the early stages, multiple surveys including on-site inspections, peak pedestrian flow observations, and in-depth interviews with vendors were conducted to thoroughly identify real pain points. On this basis, agent-based simulation technology was used for quantitative analysis of pedestrian circulation, and spatial organization was optimized based on crowd heat mapping, providing digital and scientific design support for the renovation. Spatial syntax VGA (Visibility Graph Analysis) was also introduced to generate visual accessibility heatmaps, visually presenting the line-of-sight accessibility and centrality of every point in the space, guiding functional zoning and circulation design through quantitative analysis of interface positions.

Luke Market exterior after renovation

Based on evidence-based conclusions, the project adopted "Let's go to the market!"  It innovatively proposed the "BCCF" (Brand, Culture, Consumption, Facility) integrated renewal model, upgrading the traditional market into an "urban cultural living room" integrating intangible cultural heritage, local experiences, diverse consumption, and neighborhood interaction. After completion, the market's environmental quality and comprehensive service capabilities achieved a leapfrog improvement, becoming a five-star benchmark market and a model for urban renewal in Luzhou. It provides a replicable practical example for improving the quality of old urban stock spaces and upgrading public welfare services.

Luke Market after renovation

Winning the IABP Award is a high recognition from the international academic community and industry of Sichuan Dawei Design Co., Ltd.'s comprehensive practical capabilities in urban renewal, public welfare services, green low-carbon development, and cultural preservation. The project offers a replicable and scalable model for enhancing old urban stock spaces and upgrading public welfare services, contributing "Dawei wisdom" to the global stage for local practices in China's urban renewal field.

In the future, Sichuan Dawei Design Co., Ltd. will continue to deepen its work in urban renewal, rural revitalization, green architecture, and cultural space design, actively participate in international exchanges and cooperation, promote the integrated development of design with public welfare, ecology, and culture, continuously improve its ability to serve society and regional development, and develop more "Dawei experiences" with promotional value.

Project Information:

Project Name: Luzhou Luke Market Vegetable Market Renovation Project

Design Firm: Sichuan Dawei Design Co., Ltd.

Location: Jiangyang West Road, Dashanping Subdistrict, Jiangyang District, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province

Renovation Area: 4,800㎡

Award: International Award for Best Practice in Natural Resources and Planning (IABP)