About Me
Profile
- Architectural and urban researcher, designer, and educator working across architecture, urbanism, digital media, and public space.
- PhD in Architecture from the University of Liverpool, with research on urban screens, augmented public spaces, and state-led urban transformation in Chinese cities.
- Experienced in mixed-methods urban research, including field observation, interviews, morphology-based spatial analysis, policy and archival research, machine learning-assisted classification, and VR-based visualisation.
- Over five years of professional experience in urban planning, ecological design, heritage-sensitive regeneration, and policy-facing spatial research.
- Current interests include media architecture, urban governance, digital public space, environmental adaptation, spatial justice, and emerging technologies in the built environment.
- Holds a UK Global Talent Visa (endorsed by the British Academy), permitting full-time work without restriction.
Education
PhD in Architecture
University of Liverpool, Centre for Architecture and Visual Arts (CAVA) · Liverpool, UK
- Supervisors: Prof. Richard Koeck, Dr Francesca Piazzoni
- Specialisation: Urban Screens, Media Architecture, Augmented Public Spaces, VR-Based Data Visualisation
- Thesis: Chinese Urban Screens Evolution — A Historical and Comparative Study of Screen Clusters in Shanghai and Chongqing. Examined the evolution of urban screens in Chinese cities as socio-technical urban interfaces shaped by state planning, market development and everyday public culture. Moving beyond single-case and qualitative studies, the research combined historical analysis, machine learning-assisted spatial taxonomy and the Augmented Public Space Index to analyse 104 urban screen clusters in Shanghai and Chongqing. It showed how Chinese urban screens have shifted from propaganda-oriented communication tools to clustered forms of augmented public space, reflecting China's compressed modernisation, collective viewing practices and state-market forms of urban governance.
- Research methodologies: Mixed-methods urban research, including historical and policy analysis, interviews, fieldwork, morphology-based spatial analysis, computer vision-assisted classification, clustering analysis, and VR-based visualisation. Developed the Augmented Public Space Index (APSI) for comparative assessment of digitally enhanced public spaces.
MA in Urban Design
University of Sheffield
Conducted fieldwork in Milan under the supervision of Beatrice de Carli as part of the Inclusive Design Group, focusing on social housing for immigrant communities to promote inclusive urban design.
Completed the thesis 'Careful Urban Regeneration' (fieldwork in Germany) under the supervision of Dr. Florian Kossak.
BA in Landscape Architecture
Soochow University
Key modules: Landscape Architecture Design, Psychology of Environment & Behaviour, Urban Landscape Ecology, Project Management, CAD, History of Chinese Landscapes.
Work Experience
Urban Planner & Designer & Researcher
Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Research Institute (SUPDRI), Shanghai, China
The Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Research Institute (SUPDRI) is affiliated with the Shanghai Planning and Natural Resources Bureau. Founded in 1957, it is one of China's earliest and most technically advanced Class A institutions for urban planning and design, land use planning, and engineering consulting.
- Developed conceptual urban/architectural plans by receiving client briefings, conducting research and site visits, analysing sites, and facilitating team discussions before creating initial designs.
- Produced sketches and presentation documents from conception through project completion, providing recommendations to management regarding contract requirements and work specifications.
- Reviewed drawings and documentation, identifying and reporting issues to departmental managers, iterating through revisions until final approval was achieved.
- Contributed to 20+ urban planning and design projects ranging from 5 to 180 sq km across ecological planning, urban renewal, heritage preservation, industrial transformation, and public-space strategy.
- Received multiple awards for involvement in high-profile projects.
Planning Designer Assistant (Winter Intern)
Guiyang Urban and Rural Planning & Design Institute, Guiyang, China
Participated in landscape design for the Huaxia District Ten-Mile River Band Wetland Park and compiled the regulatory plan for the Exhibition Area of Guanshanhu District. Gained foundational experience in urban planning within a government-affiliated institute.
Landscape Designer Assistant (Summer Intern)
Shanghai Ruyifang Engineering Design Co., Ltd, Shanghai, China
Contributed to the Fushui River Ecological Tourism project, producing analytical graphics, site renderings, text, and layout documentation. First professional practice experience, developing efficient working methods under intensive project deadlines.
Publications
Google Scholar Profile- Ran, W. (2025, November). The Evolution and 'Chineseness' of Urban Screens in China. Media Architecture Biennale 2025 (MAB25), Bangkok, Thailand. ACM publication forthcoming, September 2026.
- Ran, W. (2024). 'Challenging Surveillance Capitalism in Urban Public Spaces Through Gamified Spatial Practice Simulation with Virtual Reality: A Case Study of Piccadilly Circus', ASCAAD 2024 Conference Proceedings, Barcelona, pp. 553-564.
- Ran, W., Yin, L., & Yu, J. (2023). 'Machine Learning-driven Comparative Study: Morphological Taxonomy in Screen-Based Building Clusters', ACADIA 2023 Conference Proceedings, Denver, pp. 596-605.
- He, H., Gao, Q., Shen, X., Wang, M., Ran, W., et al. (2015). Lujiazui: Where All Dreams Begin – Collection of Shanghai Lujiazui Finance and Trade Zone Planning and Construction Series, Volume 2: Key Area Planning and Special Planning. China Architecture & Building Press. ISBN 978-7-112-18439-2.
In Chinese: 何虹，高琦，沈文新，王梦亚，冉无吾，张华, 朱怡文, 何志华，孔艺倩（2015）. 梦缘陆家嘴（1990-2015重点区域规划和专项规划（卷二）），中国建筑工业出版社. - Ran, W., & Wang, L. (2015). 'Urban Development Problems and Countermeasures in Guiyang'. Proceedings of the Annual National Planning Conference (ANPC) China. ISBN 978-89475-444-8.
In Chinese: 冉无吾，王理. 浅谈贵阳市的城市发展问题及对策，2015 中国城市规划年会论文集.
Skills & Proficiency
