Yitian Ren

Dr. Yitian Ren holds a PhD in Planning and Environmental Management from The University of Manchester, funded by the School of Environment, Education and Development. She serves as PGR Representative at the Faculty and School levels, contributes as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and works as a Research Assistant on projects related to brownfield land reuse. Her research focuses on urban-rural linkages, rural restructuring, sustainable urban development, and digital transformation in rural China. She has been recognized with the 2023 MDC Excellence Award and other notable prizes. She has conducted extensive fieldwork in China and holds visiting scholar experience at institutions including NUS and Politecnico di Milano.

Education:

• B.E. in Real Estate Management (First-class, National Scholarship)
• MRes in Management Science (Distinction, Dean’s List, National Scholarship)
• PhD in Planning and Environmental Management (University of Manchester)

Research Interests: Her work addresses urbanization challenges in developing countries, including rural-urban disparities, digital infrastructure impacts, and sustainable urban strategies. Key themes include small town development, urban carrying capacity, smart city happiness metrics, and ICT applications in rural dynamics. Recent studies explore urban health diagnostics and regeneration frameworks.

Grants & Collaboration: She leads UoM-funded projects on brownfield reuse and collaborates internationally. Her work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals on urban sustainability, poverty reduction, and environmental stewardship.

Labs/Teams: Associated with the Alibaba Research Centre for Rural Dynamics as a Guest Research Fellow (2022–2025), and contributes to the School’s urban-rural research initiatives.