On July 13, Qian Qihu, recipient of China’s Highest Science and Technology Award and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, visited the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design for a special interview marking the 70th anniversary of the Urban Planning Society of China, followed by a field visit to Beijing Municipal Administrative Center. Shi Xiaodong, Executive Council Member of the Urban Planning Society of China, member of the Party Leadership Group and concurrently Chief Planner of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources, and Deputy Party Secretary and President of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design; Zhao Yi, Secretary-General of the Underground Space Planning Branch of the Urban Planning Society of China and Deputy General Manager of Jiangsu Planning and Design Group; and representatives from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources and the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design participated in the interview and visit.

During the interview, Qian Qihu answered questions from Shi Xiaodong, Zhao Yi and Wu Kejie on coordinated above- and below-ground planning, urban safety and resilience, green and low-carbon development, development of the planning discipline, and digital empowerment. Qian noted that urban underground space is an irreplaceable strategic resource, and that its well-planned development and utilization is essential to enhancing a city’s overall carrying capacity and supporting its long-term development. He stressed that underground space planning should adopt a systematic approach that coordinates above- and below-ground development across multiple dimensions. Transportation, municipal infrastructure, disaster prevention and public activities should be closely integrated, shifting underground development from single-purpose use toward multifunctional integration. On professional talent development, Qian encouraged young planners and engineers to build a strong professional foundation, embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, and maintain confidence and focus amid industry transformation. Looking ahead, he called for faster and deeper application of intelligent and digital technologies in underground-space planning and construction. Technologies such as digital twins and intelligent monitoring, he said, can support more refined management and safer, more resilient operation of underground spaces.

Following the interview, Shi Xiaodong accompanied Qian on a tour of the Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design. Shi introduced the institute’s 40-year development journey and achievements in building a planning think tank. Qian spoke highly of the important role the institute has played in supporting the planning and development of the capital.

Qian then visited Tongzhou Station to learn about the planning and utilization of underground space in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center. Representatives of Beijing Infrastructure Investment Corporation introduced the station hub’s practices in integrating rail transit with urban functions, creating three-dimensional connections between above- and below-ground spaces, and enhancing the quality of public space. Qian commended the forward-looking and systematic approach to the planning and construction of the Tongzhou Station hub, and offered professional recommendations on resilience and safety as well as integrated three-dimensional development.