Leading research in sustainable urban development

Associate Professor Yuan Chao, Senior Principal Investigator of NUSRI Suzhou, has been awarded the 2025 Timothy Oke Award by the International Association for Urban Climate (IAUC) for his leading research work across the boundaries of urban climate science, urban planning, and architecture.

Announced at the 12th International Conference on Urban Climate (ICUC-12) held in Rotterdam, the award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field of urban climatology. It is presented annually to early-to-mid-career scientists who have made outstanding original contributions, demonstrated strong research leadership, and whose influence continues to grow across disciplines and geographies.

As an architect and climatologist, Assoc Prof Yuan's research bridges the domains of urban design, environmental modelling, and real-world policy application. His work has consistently advanced the integration of urban climate science into planning and architectural practice.