From June 19–22, 2024, DESIGN SHANGHAI made its grand debut at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Center, featuring over 600 international brands from 40+ countries across four exhibition halls to explore the fusion of Eastern and Western design philosophies.

At the invitation of DESIGN SHANGHAI Forum Director Aidan Walker, Mr. Ye delivered a keynote speech on June 22. Centered on the theme “Reconnect” he explored how urban renewal can serve as an opportunity to revitalize cultural heritage and redefine lifestyles. Mr. Ye highlighted that in the rapid urbanization of recent decades, characterized by large-scale demolition and construction, contemporary architecture often prioritized self-assertion over contextual harmony, resulting in fragmented cityscapes. As China’s urban development enters an era of adaptive reuse, he emphasized architects’ potential to foster deeper connections between buildings and their urban environments through open, flexible designs. By integrating structures more thoughtfully with their surroundings, such projects could not only restore cultural continuity but also catalyze innovative ways of living.