LRG logo in black
Rural green fields with fish ponds between Hong Kong and skylines of Shenzhen,China

China

Connecting research across Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Kunming and Hong Kong.

Region China
Languages English, 中文 (Chinese)
Coordinators Dr Mengyixin Li, Dr Gillian Lawson
Contact limengyixin@bucea.edu.cn
Join Open to members and non-members
Active
Overview

About this Network

The Landscape Research Group China Network connects researchers and practitioners interested in landscape studies across China and the wider international LRG community. Bringing together scholars and professionals from Chinese universities alongside colleagues in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the network aims to strengthen collaboration, dialogue and knowledge exchange in areas of shared research interest.

The network focuses on issues that are particularly relevant to landscape research in China and internationally. These include climate change and environmental sustainability, the relationship between national policy priorities and local landscape practices, and the role of cultural and ethnic perspectives in shaping landscape change. The network also encourages discussion of landscape heritage and the integration of land–sea thinking in landscape governance, drawing on concepts such as shanshui (山水) in Chinese traditions and comparable ideas in other cultural contexts.

Through online meetings, collaborative events and joint publications, the China Network provides a platform for building research partnerships and supporting new connections between landscape scholars and practitioners. Over time, the network aims to expand LRG membership within Chinese universities and contribute to internationally collaborative research projects that address shared environmental and cultural landscape challenges.

To learn more or express interest in the China Network, please contact the Network Lead; Dr Mengyixin Li. Participation in network events is open to all, including non-members.

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Coordinators

Network Leadership

Dr Mengyixin Li

Dr Mengyixin Li

Network Lead
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Dr Gillian Lawson

Dr Gillian Lawson

Network Lead
Lincoln University, New Zealand
Focus Areas

Research Themes

  • Climate change and environmental sustainability
  • National priorities and impact on local landscape practices
  • Ethnic voices in landscape change
  • Integration of mountain – sea actions (ki uta ki tai [Māori], shanshui 山水 [Chinese])
  • Heritage landscape in China studies
Publications

Spotlight Outputs

LRG Event Recording (April 2024): Landscapes in Colour, China’s Blue Green Space, April 2024
Other
LRG Event Recording (April 2024): Landscapes in Colour, China’s Blue Green Space, April 2024
Dr Mengyixin Li, Dr Danzi Wu, Dr Yuhan Shao, Dr Zhaowu Yu. · 2024
This video features a panel of landscape experts who explore themes around Chinese blue-green spaces in terms of landscape practice, policies and ecology. Friday 19 April 2024 at 12.00 GMT, 19.00 CST
Large-Scale Urban Parks on Post-Industrial Sites in Contemporary Urban Landscape Conceptions
Book
Large-Scale Urban Parks on Post-Industrial Sites in Contemporary Urban Landscape Conceptions
Dr Mengyixin Li · 2023
A comparative analysis of large post-industrial urban parks in North America, Germany and China, exploring how cultural design approaches influence contemporary landscape theory.
Urban green landscapes, justice, and subtropical Asian cities
Other
Urban green landscapes, justice, and subtropical Asian cities
Leslie Mabon · 2020
Part of LRG's annual research showcase, in 2020 entitled "A future of our own making: What does landscape justice look and feel like in the face of rapid environmental change?"
Activities

Roadmap & Activities

Publishing Pathways: Supporting Early Career Researchers in China

Delivered online and organised by LRG trustees and colleagues working across the Asia-Pacific region during April 2026. The series is intended to support researchers navigating journal selection, peer review and publishing decisions in global contexts. All four sessions will be available through this playlist once recorded.

Watch the recordings →
Publishing Pathways: Supporting Early Career Researchers in China

ILAS 2025 Conference

This LRG Collaboration with Beijing Forestry University for the 2025 International Landscape Architecture Symposium took place from 24–26 October 2025 in Beijing. The theme, Sustainability · Inclusivity · Evidence-Based Science: Towards Resilient Futures, reflected a shared commitment to reimagine landscape architecture as a discipline to address the ecological, social and scientific challenges of our time.

Read more | 阅读更多 →
ILAS 2025 Conference
Collaborators

Partner Institutions

Get Involved

Participation is open to anyone interested in landscape research in this region. You do not need to be an LRG member to take part.

LRG membership is encouraged for those wishing to connect more closely with the wider international community, funding opportunities and publications.

To learn more or express interest in the China Network, please contact the Network Lead; Dr Mengyixin Li. Participation in network events is open to all, including non-members.

Join LRG