Researchers from the SHLC team joined their international research partners, who had travelled from Africa and Asia, in China to visit and learn more about the built environment and social infrastructure of Chinese cities.

The international team of 30 researchers explored different neighbourhoods in Chongqing, which is said to be one of the biggest cities in the world with an estimated population of 30 million. The research visit formed part of the GCRF Centre for Sustainable, Healthy and Learning Cities and Neighbourhoods (SHLC) international partner meeting hosted by project partner Nankai University.

From traditional ‘work unit’ housing areas to social housing, and high-end luxury villas where the Yangze and Jialing rivers meet, the international team explored many different types of neighbourhoods in Chongqing.

The international SHLC team began their research meeting at Nankai University in Tianjin by sharing key lessons from the first stage of the research project. Researchers from South Africa, Tanzania, Rwanda, India, Bangladesh, China and the Philippines presented an overview of national policy frameworks responding to urban, health and education challenges including a profile of SHLC case study cities.