We
Shape
the Cities
that
Shape
Us

Cities connect us to people, opportunities and culture. This is where we strive and thrive within an eco system that transports and shelters, calms and inspires. The city of the future is more than a place; It forms our very being.

WHO WE ARE

A multidisciplinary team of urban planners, architects, and landscape architects that endeavor to shape cities for a better future

Partners & Founders:
Architect: Silas Chiow
Urban Planner: Yinying Zhou
Landscape Architect: Chih-Wei Chang

Mission Statement:
The Urgency that Defines Urbangene


THE POWER OF NOW
Elevating the quality of life in the global urbanization trend will rely on the latest technological innovations to advance city planning for a new era. Urgent challenges associated with climate change, public health, and cultural well-being will benefit from solutions based on hard data intelligently applied.

In order to serve these objectives, architect Silas Chiow, urban planner Yinying Zhou and landscape architect Chih-Wei Chang have formed urbangene, a practice devoted to local intelligence and design solutions for future-focused cities seeking actionable solutions.

FRESH PERSPECTIVES
While grounded in 75 years of China-based expertise between them, award-winning partners Chiow, Zhou, and Chang are no longer tethered to the dogma large firms can sometimes succumb. In place of doctrine, urbangene roots its recommended actions on timely local knowledge combined with on-the-ground analysis.

AN INSIDE-OUT APPROACH
Urbangene’s proximity to its clients and their communities brings intimate knowledge to the analysis of in-depth research related to the end-user, history, and program. By understanding the complexity of the project at a deep level, urbangene can ensure a successful outcome for the client and local stakeholders.

A TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY
Join us on this exciting journey, as we take a highly principled approach to urban design solutions for our clients. Together, we can bring about profound change by looking within for the answers that rest just below the surface. Let’s form a future of our own making.

Urbangene
We Shape the Cities that Shape Us

A Highly Principled Approach

Five Principles of How We Work in Each Project

Local
Knowledge

From the micro to the macro, our team brings local understanding to research interpretation, site conditions, and cultural understanding. We begin at the root and then work our way to the surface and beyond. Quite simply, highly detailed local knowledge is in our genes.

Technology
Intelligence

Designing high-performing, sustainable cities requires computational skills and the ability to translate statistics into viable solutions. Our China knowledge ensures that we can deliver both.

Culturally
Inclusive

We design people-centered spaces, facilities, and transit for a diversity of people in celebration of the best local traditions, cultural practices, and emerging youthful trends.

Lasting
Resiliency

Cities face all kinds of challenges, some have short-term impacts while others require long-term planning and thoughtful foresight. We take a wide view and pull from years of expertise to ensure a secure and prosperous future.

Innovative
Practices

From our work processes to the ultimate design solution, we innovate every step of the way. Openness, inclusion, and research are our keys to renovation.


Address

Building No.3, 600 Shaanxi North Road
Shanghai 200040, CN

About us

Design office for strategic development, urban planning, landscape and architecture design.
Shaping the future of cities by incorporating environmental infrastructure, promoting resilient development, and ecological civilizations.