Long history predicts a promising future. According to, I Ching: Book of Changes; Wood is carved into a boat and an oar which facilitates transportation thus advancing social welfare. Tongji’s Character has been developed throughout the University’s rich history and has withstood the adversities of time and thrives in today’s ambitious world.

Over the past sixty years, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP) has constantly strived to excel while developing its own unique Character which combines; rational thinking with aesthetic appreciation, creative design with entrepreneurship, facilitating a global view with a commitment to learning, and tenets founded deeply on social responsibility.

Thanks to the support of scholars from around the world and the contribution of alumni who nurtured the “Chinese modern creativity,” the College has become one of the global leaders in education and research. With comprehensive curriculums, state-of-the-art facilities, and the largest undergraduate student body in China, we are confident that CAUP students are prepared to greatly contribute to the design and planning of our flourishing global built environment.

The progress of CAUP depends on China’s peaceful development, the technological developments of Shanghai, and the embodiment of Tongji’s Centennial Character. We live in an era in which knowledge can be applied and social responsibilities are deeply important. We are truly dedicated to a mutual collaboration between the East and the West. Together, we can pursue truth, explore knowledge, cultivate the mind, and make vast contributions to the global built environment.

Congruent with the notions of “harmonious world” and “sustainable development,” CAUP has placed priority on the following areas of development for its future growth; “Eco-City”, “Green Buildings”, “Heritage Conservation” and “Digital Design”. CAUP is equipped with the knowledge and necessary talents to strive towards the design of harmonious cities, and sustainable human environments.

The guiding principles of this College are: centrality of students, scholarship and ethics, commitment to a unified Character, commitment to alumni, critical thought, and global sensitivity and understanding.

Sailing in the same boat, towards the same goal, together we face adversities and share the joys and sorrows of the process. We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our friends, old and new, who have lent their kind support throughout our long journey to success. We invite new students as well as outstanding academics to join us. We equally welcome collaboration and exchanges with Chinese and international experts and scholars. We are united together and commited to building harmony and sustainability in our urbanizing world. Our future is filled with possibility.

Hand in hand, we make concerted efforts toward the future; step by step, we make contributions to the world.