Urban Development Research Center of TUST

The organization was founded in 2013, attached to Tianjin University of Science & Technology, covering many academic fields including economics, management, political science, education, and law. It brings together a team of high-level experts, accomplished professors and doctoral researchers who undertake national and provincial social science fund projects as well as major enterprise programs (horizontal research projects). The organization conducts interdisciplinary and comprehensive research on urban development with Chinese characteristics, systematically exploring the theoretical foundations, historical processes, key issues, construction pathways, and comparative studies of urban development models between China and other countries. The center strives to become an excellent "think tank," "information repository," and "talent pool" for research on China's urban development. It is dedicated to building a research center, an academic exchange hub, and an information and consulting service platform for China's urban development, aiming to establish itself as a leading domestic and internationally renowned base for urban development research, information consulting and services, and talent incubation and growth.

Currently, the center focuses on several key areas, including urban spatial planning and governance, urban industrial planning, urban community governance, public services, strategic management, and economic law. Through pragmatic and results-oriented research, the center has achieved a series of influential accomplishments, including:

1. Professor Zhu Jianmin's Provincial and Ministerial Projects:

[1] Tianjin Philosophy and Social Science Research Planning Project: "Research on the Development Strategy of China's Strategic Emerging Industries."

[2] "Research on Enhancing Technological Innovation Capability Based on Synergy Theory."

[3] "Research on the Influence Mechanism and Development Strategy of Industrial Key Generic Technology Innovation-Driven Development."

[4] Tianjin Science and Technology Plan Project: "Research on Collaborative Innovation and National Strategy Based on Industrial Security," among five provincial and ministerial-level projects.

2. Professor Li Yan's Major Projects:

[1]Tianjin Municipal Education Commission Major Project: "Research on Implementing Green Development and Establishing a Spatial Governance System."

[2] Tianjin Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project: "Optimization of Closed-Loop Supply Chain Networks from the Perspective of a Low-Carbon Economy."

[3] Tianjin Municipal Education Commission Project: "Innovative Research on Green Supply Chain Management Models in Tianjin's Food Industry."

[4] Tianjin Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project: "Transformation, Upgrading, and Comprehensive Evaluation of the Competitiveness of Equipment Manufacturing in an Innovative Ecological Environment."

[5] Tianjin Water Authority Projects: "Research on the Legal System for Comprehensive Utilization of Water Resources in Tianjin" and "Research on Water Rights System and Optimal Allocation of Water Resources in Tianjin."

3. Collaborative National and Provincial Projects by Professors Lin Jianheng, Jing Chaoliang, and Others:

[1]National Social Science Fund Project: "Research on the Path Selection for Community Construction under the Background of Government Function Transformation."

[2]Tianjin Social Science Project: "Path Selection and Institutional Innovation for Equalization of Basic Public Services in Tianjin."

The center actively presents its research findings to society. The following list is part of their recent publishings:

[1] Jing Chaoliang. Theoretical Principles and Practices of Owner-Managed Residential Communities [J]. Journal of Jinzhong University, 2025, 42(01): 46-50.

[2] Jing Chaoliang. Insights from Ostrom's Ideas for Homeowner Organizations [J]. Harmonious Community Newsletter, 2024, 88(04): 17-37.

[3] Chaoliang Jing, Arcuri Graig. Comparative Case Studies of Community Governance Patterns: From the Tentative Perspective of Fractal Theory [J]. Baltic Journal of Real Estate Economics and Construction Management, 2023(11): 48–87.

[4] Jing Chaoliang, Graig, Yan Jiaxun. Theoretical Logic and Realization Conditions of Collective Action by Homeowners [J]. Journal of Social Sciences of Shanxi Higher Education Institutions, 2023, 35(09): 32-38.

[5] Jing Chaoliang. Analyzing the Path Selection of Community Construction from the Perspective of Social Physics [J]. Journal of Yunnan University (Social Sciences Edition), 2022, 21(02): 110-118.

[6] Jing Chaoliang, Lin Jianheng, Li Yan. Research on the Path of Community Community Construction [M]. Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press, 2022.

Furthermore, some outcome’s academic influence is enduringly important, such as Professor Li Yan's monograph, Research on Green Development and the Establishment of a Spatial Governance System (Yanbian People's Publishing House, 2020) and Professor Jing Chaoyang's monographs, Chinese Public Institutions: A Study from the Perspective of Civil Subjects (Social Sciences Academic Press, 2018), Development Report of Chinese Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce (Social Sciences Academic Press, 2015), and Private Non-Enterprise Units (China Society Press, 2010).

The center also places great emphasis on collaboration and exchange with other institutions. It actively participates in activities organized by the Tianjin Think Tank Alliance and has established close cooperative research and resource-sharing mechanisms with the Policy Research Institute of Renmin University of China, relevant departments of the National Development and Reform Commission, the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, and the Tianjin Homeowners Committee Federation. Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization, the center will continue to focus on critical issues in urban development, striving for innovation and progress to make greater contributions to urban research in the new era.

Researchers from the Urban Development Research Center conducted community research in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin.

Researchers from the Urban Development Research Center engaged in exchanges with legal experts and homeowner self-management specialists.

The latest monograph of a research fellow from the Urban Development Research Center by the Social Sciences Academic Press