On November 16, 2022, the Globalization and Development (GAD) program had the honor of inviting Professor Jiang Bin, a geospatial information science professor from Gavle University College (Hogskolan i Gavle) in Sweden, as a special guest to attend the "Digitization and Globalization World Series" lecture hosted by the Department of Social Sciences. He delivered a speech on the topic of "Geospatial Big Data, Space, and Its Livingness".

Professor Jiang's research focuses on geospatial analysis and modeling, such as topological analysis and scaling levels applied to buildings, streets, and cities. Inspired by the great architect Christopher Alexander, he developed an aesthetic mathematical model - not only to help explain why a city is beautiful but also to explain how beautiful a city is.

Professor Jiang Bin is the founding chair of the Geospatial Analysis and Modeling Commission and co-founding chair of the Digital Transformation Working Group at the International Cartographic Association (ICA). He previously served as the associate editor of the international journal "Computers, Environment and Urban Systems" from 2009 to 2014 and currently serves as associate editor for "Cartographica", "Computational Urban Science," and other international journals.

  Professor Jiang shared his opinions on how to understand the livingness and essence of space by using big data from four perspectives:

•  What is geospatial big data?

• What is space or what is the essence of space?

• What are the living mechanisms or spatial livingness?

• The application of geospatial big data in sustainable development.

  Through a detailed and professional introduction and explanation of these four aspects, Professor Jiang introduced the third or organic view of space to the audience: humans are a part of space rather than separate from it; space is neither lifeless nor neutral but a living structure capable of being more living or less living.

  At the end of the lecture, Professor Jiang proposed that geography or geospatial information science is a science of vital mechanisms. He thought how to use an organic view of space to create more vibrant communities or cities and to explore the role of highly vital spaces in stress relief from the perspective of environmental psychology.

  Professor Jiang’s interesting lecture inspire audiences’ questions. During Q&A session, GAD assistant professor Dr. Shuang Wu, assistant instructor Ms. Mingjiao Xia raise questions on space productivity and space aesthetic.

GAD Assistant Professor Dr. Shuang Wu ask a question 

GAD Sophomore Mr. ZHANG Xiaowei ask a question 

  The Globalization and Development Programme (GAD) and Department of Social Sciences (DSS) once again express their gratitude to Professor Jiang Bin, who, as an expert in geographic information, took the valuable time to deliver an excellent speech. GAD also emphasizes the integration trend of geographic big data and future urban development, offering cutting-edge courses such as Smart Cities, Public Administration for the Digital Society, and Sustainable Cities; GAD also collaborated with the Faculty of Science and Technology to establish an Introduction to Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Management.