Wenzheng Shi

Professional Study Experience

1999-2004 BA Town Planning, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, China

2005-: Worked in Shanxi Urban & Rural Planning & Research Institute, China

2007-2008: Master of Arts in Landscape Management, Sheffield University, Sheffield

2009- 2013: PhD in Landscape, University of Sheffield, Sheffield

Background

I am from China and have practiced landscape design and urban planning in China many years and have ranged many projects in China in last few years. My current research investigates planning and management in urban green spaces to improve the mulitifunctionality and enhance the green infrastructure, especial trying to develop a framework in China practices. My PhD research investigates that based on a paired case study, how to promoted landscape multifunctionality via landscape management.

Current Research Topic

Management planning for Urban Landscape Multifunctionality: A comparative case study of green space management in two cities

PhD Supervisor
Helen Woolley
Paul Selman

PhD Abstract

This research is to investigate a way for enhancing landscape multifunctionality in urban areas through improved management planning.

It has long been recognized in the literature that multifunctionality is a widespread goal in landscape especially in green infrastructure development. Ecological, economic, socio-cultural, historical and aesthetic functions in landscape are widely promoted, but their attainment and integration are limited by the constraints of a politicized environment, a lack of knowledge, and a great deal of complexity. Urban expansion leads to many landscape functions being changed from rural into urban. Many plans, policies and management challenges can arise from these interactions including external pressures on the changing areas’ multiple-functions due to land development, habitat fragmentation and land-use transfer etc.

This study will compare actual and potential prospects for green infrastructure development in urban green spaces in the Sheffield urban area in the UK and Yuci urban area in China. GIS mapping will be used to explain and show what land use and multifunctionality are present and their current condition. Based on GIS maps, proposals and plans will be produced and tested in different cases cities by organised interview with different groups.

Anticipated outcomes include the development of methods for the improvement of multifunctionality with urban green infrastructure, based principally on management planning; Plans and proposals for developing green infrastructure will be produced for each case study, along with suggestions on how multifunctionality in urban green spaces can be improved.

Conference presentations

Shi Wenzheng (2010), Management Planning for Landscape Multifunctionality, new challenge for development landscape in china, Paper presented at the First National Landscape and Ecological PhD academic forum in China: Beijing, China

Shi Wenzheng (2011), Management Planning for Landscape Multifunctionality, new challenge for development landscape in china, Poster presented at the 48th IFLA World Congress: Zurich Switzerland.

Shi, W. & Woolley, H. (2011), Management planning for urban landscape multifunctionality: A case study on Norfolk Heritage Park in Sheffield, 2011 Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture Annual Conference: Nanjing, China