Landscape Architecture Faculty Member Named to Forbes’s “30 Under 30” List

The College of Architecture is pleased to announce Landscape Architecture Professor of Practice Yujia Wang was named to the elite Forbes China 30 Under 30 list. Forbes names 300 outstanding young people under 30 who are active in various fields in China who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and made a considerable impact in their field.

Broken down into ten categories, Wang was selected from the Fashion, Lifestyle and Food sector and the first landscape architecture professional to earn this award.

According to Forbes, they select young people under 30 who have emerged in their industries, or who have shown the potential to become leaders in the future industry and society. These young elites include entrepreneurs, outstanding managers and entertainers, sports, technology and cultural figures. The honorees were selected by a jury of well-known entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, artists, university professors and industry experts.

“It is a great honor. I am quite thrilled about this both as an achievement for myself and as a first for landscape architecture. It is also a platform which presents amazing insights, potentials and opportunities,” said Wang. “This award honors the work that I’ve done with my firm, Yichang Landscape and Planning, having led many high-profile, public urban landscape projects and worked with government and public investment corporations. It is motivating and inspirational to witness the positive energy these designs inject into a city, the environment, and the lives of its citizens. And as an educator, I’m excited to incorporate the experiences and theories from these projects into my pedagogy that I bring into the classroom.”

Prior to joining UNL, Wang practiced in the United States and China. At Sasaki Associates, a leading global design office, he had worked on a range of domestic and international projects in the public realm. The work included landscape vision such as Chongqing Twin River Waterfront Vision Plan, and built projects like Chicago Cantigny Park, Boston WTC Pier, and Jinan MixC Retail District. Prior to that, Wang had also led a series of charitable infrastructure projects, building bridges to help secure pedestrian access for distant and under-served villages in rural parts of China. Notably, the Qingling Phase I bridge, a 50-meter bridge completed in 2013, became an example of success and was widely covered by national and local media.

“Having Yujia selected to the Forbes 30 under 30 list is another outstanding example of the quality and rigor our faculty are achieving in their creative activity and research,” said Program Director Mark Hoistad. “We were delighted to welcome Yujia to our faculty last year. The insight and rigor demonstrated in his international practice is being translated into the classroom. Our students benefit every day from the insights Yujia shares in his studios.”

Forbes Magazine launched its first 30 Under 30 list in 2011 in the United States. Since then, they have expanded this feature in 2016 to include lists for Asia, Europe and Africa.