» About China

We aim to build resilient towns and to promote a circular economy through innovative approaches.

Our aspiration: Our goal is to rethink cooperation within productive cities, minimise resource losses, and avoid unilateral decisions, and encourage collaborative decision-making by fostering input from all stakeholders in the decision process. By integrating innovative resource management, implementation options, and monitoring tools into urban and regional development strategies, we can improve interactions with community stakeholders and achieve promising outcomes.

Our approach: Holistic impact analysis is based on state-of-the-art and target data plus digitally assisted participative decision-making thanks to 3D and immersive technologies to form the best future for all

The basic innovation: URBAN MENUS is a web-based tool and training program that presents future visions of urban or rural areas in 3D. It includes economic, social, and ecological impacts and helps facilitate consensus among multiple stakeholders with reasonable effort. Austrian funding agencies supported it with a preliminary study conducted worldwide in 2020/21 and a pilot project in India. urbanmenus.com

R&D project: URBAN MENUS Circularity China: Resilient Circularity Optimizer for Urban Systems

In a new project, we aim to develop an interactive technology catalogue that facilitates the participatory design of resilient, symbiotic process systems. By providing impact previews of various technology combinations, it supports the development of scenarios that align with the needs of cities for circular economy approaches and balance the differing interests of diverse societal stakeholders.

Core work packages (Project duration: 04/2024–03/2026)

WP 1: Project Management
WP 2: Circular components catalogue representing state of the art innovations in Jiangsu, China and Styria, Austria
WP 3: Impact assessment model blending local and global approaches to circularity to redefine ecosystems
WP 4: URBAN MENUS Circularity China to create and monitor circular city systems incl. application guideline
WP 5: Ecologic, economic and social evaluation in China and Austria for different target groups and periods
WP 6: Finetuning
WP 7: Dissemination: Demonstration, business and further R&I preparation

Target groups

Private, Social, Public, Investors, Academy

Benefits and Main innovative results

“URBAN MENUS Circularity” prototype (software, application guide, training)

3D-previews of symbiotic green technology combinations and resilient city future scenarios.
Visualize and simulate scenarios to compare the impacts of various options on households and the community, e.g., integration of biogas and heat pumps into the district heating network, energy communities, use of waste heat by households, and individual measures.
Multi-sectoral impact analysis using local parameters.
Foundation for collaborative decision-making on strategies for circular productive cities.
Actual, scientific and economically proven application examples from China and Austria.
Evaluate different combinations of funding and investments to ensure the profitability of sustainable technologies. Assess the potential impacts of various sustainable projects and investments on the regional economy and quality of life.
Analyse the cycles of renewable energy sources and evaluate the long-term impacts of energy generation systems on resource consumption and waste management.

Who we are – Consortium

BUSarchitektur ZT GmbH (Vienna, AT)
The firm earned international acclaim, winning awards such as the “Outstanding Artist Award for Experimental Trends in Architecture” in 1988 and the “Otto Wagner Urban Planning Award” for the “Compact City” concept in Vienna. Notable projects include STAR 22, Kurpark Oberlaa Neu, Forum Schönbrunn and innovative campus designs worldwide. Recognized for achievements, BUSarchitektur’s recent innovation, “URBAN MENUS,” received acclaim for participatory urban development. The firm values creativity, sustainability and collaboration, delivering functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces within budget constraints. The highly qualified team is committed to realizing clients’ visions and looks forward to undertaking challenging architectural projects successfully.
busarchitektur.com/en
akaryon GmbH (Vienna, AT)
akaryon is an IT company that has evolved into an environmental specialist, focusing on sustainability research. Collaborating with scientists, they develop products and services to promote eco-friendly practices and conduct environmental education projects. Their expertise lies in sustainable energy supply systems and assessing environmental impacts. Akaryon uses IT knowledge to translate concepts into practical solutions, exemplified by products like the ESG cockpit and REsys energy transition calculator. Additionally, they offer consulting services, supporting project funding across diverse sectors and for various entities, from SMEs to NGOs.
akaryon.com
AEE INTEC Institute for Sustainable Technologies (Gleisdorf AT)
symbiotic tech systems expert. AEE – Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC) was founded in 1988 and is today one of the leading European institutes of applied research in renewable energy and resource efficiency. In the three target group areas “Buildings”, “Cities & Grids” and “Industrial Systems” as well as three technological working groups “Renewable Energies”, “Thermal Storage” and “Water and Process Technologies”, the R&D projects carried out range from basic research projects to the implementation of demonstration plants.
aee-intec.at
ARTS Group Co., Ltd (Suzhou, CN)
Subsidiary Building Energy Saving Co., Ltd – green construction
artsgroup.cn
RIET Research Institute for Environmental Innovation, Tsinghua University (Suzhou, CN)
academic institution dedicated to transfer of environmental research into practice
tsinghua-riet.com
Jiangsu Langyi Environmental Technology Co., Ltd (Suzhou, CN)
green tech provider (e.g., sanitation)

Bilateral expert

Jade Wang (Beijing, CN)
Managing Director of DesignWarehouse and General Manager of Beijing Yinxin Culture Communication Co., Ltd

Circularity Optimizer steering committee

Laura P.
Spinadel

Idea generator for URBAN MENUS passionate about global networking around the project.

Austro-Argentine architect with a holistic approach, multiple award-winning urban design projects (including the master plans for the innovative housing project Compact City and the university campus WU Vienna), founder and managing director of the architecture firm BUSarchitektur & the architecture-multimedia agency BOA büro für offensive aleatorik, both in Vienna. “I believe that only together, with many small steps, we can create the necessary matrix to allow the emergence of a collaborative space that is good for all of us – the emergence of Holistic Villages in our smart cities.”

Petra
Busswald

Strategy partner responsible for backend, data structures and algorithm mathematics.

Co-managing director of the environmental informatics company akaryon (Vienna and Styria), founded in 1999, studied technical environmental protection and technical mathematics, involved for decades in international research projects on sustainability and conception of web tools for operationalizing sustainability (including CO2 calculator, energy simulation, climate change monitoring, etc.). “Structured data on estimated impacts helps to think about scenarios in an informed and factual way and to come to a consensus with a plan that makes as many different people or stakeholder groups happy as possible.”

Wolfgang
Weiß

Wolfgang Weiß is head of the department “Industrial Systems” at AEE INTEC.

He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Graz University of Technology. He is working on topics related to industrial digitization, industrial decarbonization and industrial-urban symbiosis.

Yong
Zhang

Full Senior Engineer, Registered Utility (HVAC) Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Arts Group.

General Manager of Building Energy Saving Company, Expert of Jiangsu Province Survey and Design Expert Database, Expert of Jiangsu Province Green Building Label Evaluation Expert Database, Expert of Jiangsu Province Green Building Label Evaluation Expert Database, Expert of Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Development Centre of the Department of Housing and Construction, Expert of Jiangsu Province ‘333 High-level Talent Cultivation Project’ third level cultivation object, and an external instructor for postgraduate students of Southeast University.

Li
Zhu

She is the director of China Urban Sanitation Association, the director of China Environmental Industry Protection
Association, the secretary-general of National Public Toilet Construction and Management Committee, and the head of
World Toilet Organization (WTO) in China.

At the same time, she also serves as a special research institute of the National Environmental Photocatalysis Engineering
Technology Research Center, deputy director of the Collaborative Innovation Center of the Wuxi Institute of Applied
Sciences of Tsinghua University, and a visiting professor of the School of Environmental Engineering of the University of
Engineering and Technology in Shanghai.

Wenjun
Sun

PI of the Water Purification Team of Research Institutes for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua, Tsinghua Professor, Adjunct Professor of the University of Western Ontario (Canada), Board Member of the International Ultraviolet Association, Support Officer of ISO-Cleaning equipment for air and other gases/UV-C technology.

A long-term commitment to the development of water purification technology research, predicated on a thorough evaluation of the water quality in the specific context of their implementation, provided technical solutions and a comprehensive array of equipment and systems to ensure the protection of municipal life and the safety and quality of industrial water.

Circularity Optimizer Bilateral Expert

Jade
Wang

Managing Director of DesignWarehouse, Jade Wang bridges sustainable innovation between China and Europe.

With degrees in Economics from the Beijing Institute of Technology and the University of Amsterdam, she brings expertise in experimental economics, entrepreneurship, and circular development. Jade focuses on bio-based construction and sustainable product design, aiming to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral, circular bioeconomy. Her mission: to drive climate change solutions through natural materials and sustainable design.

Circularity Optimizer advisory board

Li
Hong

General Manager and chief architect of Fanhua Group Design Creativity Center.

Li Hong is a national first-class registered architect, senior architect, and an expert for project evaluation and planning review at the Shanghai Housing Construction Committee.

Zhou
Lyu

Associate professor and researcher in water and wastewater systems at Tsinghua University.

Dr. Lyu Zhou has over two decades of academic and applied research experience in environmental engineering, focusing on decentralised systems, wastewater reuse, and advanced treatment technologies. He has led over 100 projects and authored more than 200 publications, earning awards from national and international bodies.

Martin
Popowicz

Manages Circular Economy projects at Green Tech Valley, linking research and practice.

Martin Popowicz is the responsible project manager for Circular Economy projects at Green Tech Valley Cluster with a strong academic background in sustainability, innovation, and business analytics. He holds two MSc degrees and is pursuing a PhD focused on digital product passports. With experience in research, teaching, and project management, he combines scientific expertise and practical insight to drive circular solutions and foster innovation networks.

Jiang
Xinyi

Communication Management, University of Southern California; PR, Syracuse University

Xinyi Alice Jiang is a communication and marketing professional with global experience across PR, fashion, tech, and e-commerce. She holds a Master’s in Communication Management from USC and a Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Syracuse University. Skilled in brand strategy, social media, and live commerce, she has worked with global brands to boost engagement, sales, and visibility across multiple platforms.

Ding
Yang

GM & founding partner of FTA Architects, Integrated Design Specialist for Office and Innovation Parks

Graduated from Suzhou University of Science and Technology, majoring in Architecture. GM of FTA Architects, whose core competence covers the integrated design of office and science and technology parks, design of dynamic and warm workplace scenarios, and specialized park design in the fields of digital finance, AI, and biomedicine.
Pays close attention to the application of green and low-carbon concepts in park design, and actively participates in projects such as Suzhou ESG Industrial Innovation Center and Kunshan Carbon 12 Workshop.

Name
Surname

text

text

Name
Surname

text

text

Name
Surname

text

text

Circularity Optimizer market advisors

Chen
Yuanqiao

Founder & CEO, Wocyd New Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.;
International PHI Certified Designer

Nachang University, Bachelor in MechatronicsShanghai Jiao Tong University, CMBA in Business Administration. Founder& CEO, Wocyd New Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.; International PHI Certified Designer, Chinese Indoor Fresh Air Standard Setter, Guest Professor, Sino-German College, Tongji University, Senior Researcher in the New Energy Technology Industry

Fan
Fei

Towngas Smart Energy Gas Division – Market Development Department, Senior Professional Manager

With 20 years of professional experience, I have been engaged in photovoltaic, energy storage, heating (industrial steam), and industrial energy efficiency integrated energy solutions since 2014. From 2022 to present, I have been employed at Towngas Smart Energy, focusing on Towngas customers to develop integrated energy business development plans and implementation guidelines.

Huang
Chendong

Chairman of Jiangsu Xinriyuan Building Energy Efficiency Technology Co., Ltd., and Founder of the Company

In 2010, he founded Jiangsu Xinriyuan Building Energy Saving Technology Co.
Engineer，engaged in the central air conditioning industry since 1993, has served as a number of well-known domestic and foreign central air conditioning manufacturers in Jiangsu and East China company general manager.
Long-term commitment to building energy-saving systems, renewable energy systems integration and promotion.

Wang
Xianlong

Senior Engineer in multi-energy systems & waste heat recovery at Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Senior Engineer at Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, CAS, specializing in multi-energy systems, waste heat recovery, and energy-saving technologies. Led 10+ projects; contributed to national R&D programs and NSF projects. Collaborated with State Grid, Sinopec, CNNC, and CGN. Published 40+ papers (10+ SCI), filed 40+ patents. Strong in industry-academia applied research.

Zeng
Ming

Zeng Ming, a Doctor of Civil Engineering from Tongji University, is a senior engineer and a nationally certified first-class registered structural engineer.

Dr. Zeng serves as President and Chief Engineer of Shanghai Tongmu Architecture Consulting Co., Ltd., as well as Technical Director of the Surendra P. Shah Academician Workstation.
Dr. Zeng is recognized as a senior expert in cost control and has served as the main drafter of the Engineering Construction Design Supervision Service Specifications. He has authored six academic journal papers and holds five patents. And has accumulated rich experience in design consultation and low-carbon building practices.

Circularity Optimizer minicase stakeholders

Cui
Chengxin

Project Promotion Team Leader Construction Management Office Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City

Master of Landscape Architecture, Intermediate Engineer. Currently serving on the Project Promotion Team of the Town of Zhoushi’s Construction Management Office，Kunshan City. Original work experience includes Qingdao Landscape Planning Institute, Zhoushi City Construction Management Office Greening and Street Lighting Working Group, Zhoushi City Construction Management Office Planning Working Group.

Pen
Shudong

Deputy Unit Investment Promotion Officer in the Finance and Economic Development Office of Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City.

2004.7 Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry (Environmental Monitoring and Governance) from Nanjing Normal University, 2014.6 Graduate degree in Environmental Engineering from Nanjing Agricultural University. Currently, he is a Deputy Unit Investment Promotion Officer in the Finance and Economic Development Office of Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City, mainly engaged in the research and implementation of policies in the direction of green environmental protection and low-carbon, as well as investment promotion services for low-carbon industries.

Wu
Baoren

General Manager of Changzhou International Lightweight Building Materials Integrated Application Research Center

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Low-carbon development activist. The first five years after graduating from college were spent in the manufacturing industry, employed by Taiwanese and U.S. companies, in management positions, implementing lean manufacturing. Then started his own business in the foam sponge industry, HVAC engineering industry, and semiconductor heating film industry. Now he is mainly committed to the assembly building field, focusing on building the platform of “International Lightweight Building Materials Integration and Application Research Center”, integrating domestic advantageous green lightweight building materials, forming the ultra-low energy consumption, assembly-type overall housing solutions, and promoting and selling them in the global market.

Xu
Jianfei

Director of the Planning and Construction Department, Kunshan North New City Groupï¼Œ Project Manager for the Carbon 12 Workshop Project.

He graduated from Jinling Institute of Science and Technology in 2011, majoring in gardening. Currently, he is the director of the Planning and Construction Department of Kunshan North New Town Group, mainly responsible for the industrial planning of green and low-carbon projects, the design of planning programs, and the approval and construction of projects. He is directly responsible for the development and construction of the Carbon 12 Workshop project.

Yao
Xingyuan

Deputy Director of the Finance and Economic, Development Office, Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City.

Graduated from Soochow University with a degree in Public Administration. Currently serving as Deputy Director of Finance and Economic Development Office, Zhoushi Town, Kunshan City, mainly responsible for low-carbon park carrier construction, operation and management, investment promotion, preparation for activities and other tasks to promote work.

Circularity Optimizer team

Jimena Berezovsky

Architect, with two master’s degrees: Landscape Architecture and Urban Economics.
From Córdoba, Argentina, she works at the city’s Urban Planning Department and she is specializes in Geographic Information Systems and Big Data management. She is responsible for updating and creating GIS project databases.

Yang Zhou

Yang Zhou is a data science and business analytics expert with a Master’s
degree in Big Data and Data Science from the Complutense University of
Madrid.

Qingchen (Sherry) Zhang

BS inmechanical engineering MS inmechanical engineering

Gan, Jiujun

Skilled in coding with Python, SQL, and R, complemented by a solid grasp of constructing data visualization dashboards using Tableau.

Zhongyun Chen

Has worked for Research Institutes for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou) Tsinghua as a project manager since 2017 and is specialized in projects on Environmental sustainability, more than 20 years’ experience in cross-cultural and interdisciplinary joint research projects, as well as in applied research and operational training initiatives involving China and Europe.

Tang, Aiqi

Engineer, Arts Group Co., Ltd., Building Energy Efficiency Company. She has participated in a number of projects such as Carbon 12 Workshop Low Carbon Industrial Innovation Park. She has won two Jiangsu provincial awards, holds one patent, and has four papers published in professional journals.

Lu, Lin

Deputy Director, Deputy Chief Planner of the Planning Institute of Arts Group Co., Ltd, Master’s Degree, Senior Engineer, Registered Urban Planner.

CHEN, Ningxiong

Dipl. Ing. Architect, senior engineer, China First Class Registered Architect. Leading the design of Carbon 12 Workshop ‘s zero-carbon building、green building technology strategy, the earliest to promote the development of green building design in Jiangsu Province

Wu, Yunlei

HVAC Engineer of Arts Group, middle ranking. Expertise in the application of low carbon technologies in the HVAC design of large-scale integrated projects.

Qian, Zheng

Electrical Design Executive Engineer, Arts Group Co., Ltd., Participated in the electrical and energy saving design of Carbon 12 Workshop Innovation Park, and many other major projects.

Hu, Yi Qiang

Project Manager, Executive Engineer, HVAC Engineer, with 15 years of experience in the industry, responsible for managing the entire project process

Chen Chen

HVAC Engineer with 10 years of professional experience, specializing in HVAC system design, energy efficiency optimization, and project management.

He Yi

Assistant Planner in the Planning and Design Institute of ARTS Group Co., Ltd. and Master’s Degree in International Planning and Urban Design from Cardiff University, UK.

Yuanrou Fan

research assistant at Jiangsu Langyi Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. and the Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences. I hold a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Wuhan University, China.

Peter Gruber

Peter Gruber is a junior researcher at AEE INTEC and holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental systems science with a focus on sustainable technologies. Currently he finalizes his master’s degree in Energy and Environmental Management at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland.

Monika Spörk-Dür

She is senior researcher at AEE INTEC, contributing to various national and international projects in areas such as knowledge transfer, market analysis, technical data, and building performance monitoring. She is also actively involved in the editorial management of AEEs self-published magazine “nachhaltige technologien”.

Vera Besse

akaryon

Agustina Cooke

Urban Menus Team Member