In early July, students from the SPbGASU Faculty of Architecture took part in the International Summer School Smart Cities 2025 in Beijing, organized by the Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA). More than 60 students and teachers from Russia, Nepal, Turkmenistan, India, Uzbekistan, Finland, Mexico, Iran, Nigeria and China united to study modern technologies in the field of construction and architecture, creating sustainable cooperation and communications. 

Participants of the summer school are students of other than final years of study at the Faculty of Architecture with fluent English, good academic performance and a desire for intercultural interaction in solving creative and educational problems. At SPbGASU, such selection was successfully completed by postgraduate student Gleb Bagayev, master's students Aleksandra Rakhova and Valeria Finina (Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage), students of the Department of Architectural Design Nina Maslikova (4th year), Ksenia Borisova (3rd year), Ustiniya Petrova and Aman Tuvakov (2nd year). The group was led by Deputy Dean for discipline Daria Boytsova.

“The summer school’s busy program included lectures from experts in various fields. The students got acquainted with the advanced developments of Chinese scientists in the field of urban planning using satellite navigation and found application of technologies in practical activities in the format of an intellectual test, where Ksenia Borisova took 2nd place, and Ustinia Petrova – 3rd place. The school participants also studied the possibilities of 3D scanning and printing, which are actively used in the restoration and reconstruction of buildings, modern methods of geological surveys and geodetic research using drones and robots. Of particular interest were the latest developments in the field of production of environmentally friendly building materials, a report on which was presented by a professor from the University of Manchester, as well as the CIM (City Information Modeling) software presented by the developer company Glodon,” said Daria Boytsova.

During the summer school, students also visited unique modern buildings and historical complexes in Beijing and its environs, which allowed them to get acquainted with Chinese culture. Visiting the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and the Museum of Architecture left vivid impressions. The students also studied the creations of modern architectural firms Zaha Hadid Architects and Snøhetta, the features of their use in a hot and humid climate, determined by the strategy of sustainable development. 

The summer school ended with a grand closing ceremony, where students made presentations on the topic of Smart Cities, developed in international teams, and received personalized certificates.

Within the framework of the 4th BRAUIC Forum, which was held on the same dates at BUCEA University, Daria Boytsova presented SPbGASU. She noted that the forum participants expressed a desire to actively participate in international scientific and creative events of our university. Events of this level strengthen international relations in the field of education and are the key to the development of cooperation. The participation of SPbGASU representatives in the BUCEA summer school has already become a tradition, which will continue in 2026.