Representatives from the City Science Lab @ Shanghai (Tongji University) visited the MIT Media Lab to sign a continuation of their cooperation agreement. On June 12, 2023, the delegation including Professor Lou Yongqi (Vice President), Li Jing (Deputy Director of International Exchange and Cooperation Office), and Chair Professor Wang Lan (Deputy Dean of College of Architecture and Urban Planning) met with MIT Media Lab’s Chief of Staff,  Kimberly Slater, MIT City Science Director, Kent Larson, MIT City Science PhD Candidate, Yan (Ryan) Zhang, and MIT City Science Program Coordinator, Maggie Church. 

The agreement will allow the teams to continue their work and research for another three years, while linking the Shanghai team to the broader City Science Network. Together the teams aim to develop systems for prosocial urban development and preserve the values of the community while developing local economies and reducing inequality. 

During this visit, Professor Wang Lan gave a talk titled, Healthy City Science and Planning: Research and Practice, to City Science, the Media Lab and MIT architecture students. The talk gave insights into ongoing research surrounding health impact assessment models and the importance of evidence-based practices on public health.  The MIT City Science team also hosted a ceremonial signing to celebrate the continuation of the cooperation agreement and to kick-start new research ideas and themes in the years ahead.