Funded by the CUHK Courseware Development Grant (2022-2025) at CUHK, Liquid Territories is an innovative teaching platform dedicated to reshaping urban design education. Traditionally, urban design education has been delivered within discipline-specific curriculums in classroom settings. However, contemporary urban challenges demand a broader, interdisciplinary approach that incorporates insights from Urban Studies, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Sociology, and History. Liquid Territories breaks away from conventional frameworks by offering students long-term, self-directed learning opportunities that evolve with the complexities of the modern urban landscape.
Our platform provides a dynamic learning environment where students can engage in progressive modules, develop critical design thinking, and acquire practical skills. Through these modules, students will contribute to an open, online library of urban design knowledge, enriching the broader community with their insights.
Part of the CUHK School of Architecture within the Faculty of Social Science, we are committed to promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across the university with Faculty of Science and Faculty of Arts. Our goal is to bridge the gaps between various departments—including Department of Geography and Resource Management , Depatrment of History, Department of Anthropology, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences . By connecting different fields of study, we aim to create a platform that contributes to understanding and addressing the challenges of urbanization, environmental sustainability, and ecological resilience, particularly within the context of the Pearl River Delta.
To achieve this, we strive to extend Liquid Territories beyond the School of Architecture, encouraging cross-departmental collaboration and creating opportunities for joint projects, research initiatives, and workshops. These collaborations will empower students and faculty to explore urban issues from diverse perspectives, engage in meaningful dialogue, and develop solutions that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Our vision is to create a truly interdisciplinary platform that drives forward the research and practice of urban design and its impact on our cities and environment.