In Dec 9 2016, SPEA Investment Department Director and Real Estate Institute Dean Professor Chen Jie attended the Urban Studies Foundation 2016 Winter Council Meeting in University of Glasgow, UK, to review USF annual financial statement and annual report, discuss key projects and plans in next year, and promote strategical development suggestions. The Meeting has reviewed the plan of Urban Studies Chief on how to promote China Urban Studies Scholars’ research and paper writing ability, and approved required funds for the development plan.
USF founded in 2008 in UK, is the mother company of Urban Studies. USF aims to promote high level urban studies including release kinds of Urban Studies related publication, support Ph.D, post PhD, International Visiting Scholars, and various forums. USF supporting Fund distribution is decided by the council and only well known international scholars could be the council member. The 2016 council includes Glasgow University Professor Chris Philo(council director), Manchester Metropolitan University Professor Jon Bannister(Urban Studies Chief), SUFE Professor Chen Jie, Sheffield University Professor John Flint, Western Sydney University Professor Donald McNeill, Technische Universiteit Delft Associate Professor Evert Meijers, Glasgow University Professor John Parr, National University of Singapore Professor Choon-Piew Pow, London School of Economics and Political Science Associate Professor Hyun Bang Shin, and University College London Professor Wu Fulong. The details could refer to its official website http://www.urbanstudiesfoundation.org/members/
Professor Chen Jie was elected the council member in 2015, being the first and the only member from China Mainland, which reflected the fast improving of China Urban Studies. Through one year’s participant in various activities, Professor Chen Jie displayed the ability of China Scholars especially SUFE Scholars, promoted friendship and mutual understanding, and laid good foundation of future cooperation.