Min Chen
Bachelor of Environments: Urban Design and Planning

I chose the Bachelor of Environments because I had a wishto help promote environmentally friendly urbanism.

I decided to major in urban design and planning because I see it as an opportunity that can help realizing my vision of interactive and sustainable city life.

My favourite subjects were Urban Precinct Studio and Construction Design. The Urban Precinct Studio provided me with the opportunity to challenge my ability to identify critical issues existing in the urban precinct and taught me how to apply what I learned. Construction Design is a subject that instructs students how to deal with real architectural issues, detailed down to each piece of stone. It draws your attention to specific yet critical details, and helps you think systematically.

To me, studying at the University of Melbourne meant more than just promoting my academic skills, three years studying here also meant to a once in a lifetime opportunity of experiencing, understanding, adopting, and combining different cultural perspectives.

My advice to new students is to use your time on designing rather than complaining.

I am looking forward to being a professional urban designer and architect.

The BEnvs helped give me a sound academic knowledge and a critical mind for looking at designs.

Five words that sum me up are: Idiot, insane, idealist, implementer, enthusiastic.

My personal motto is: Trying is not enough; try it harder.

MIN IS NOW WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY

What do you do? I am an assistant urban designer in Chiway Land and Design Group in Shanghai, China.

How did you find your job? I came across with their chief designer during a urban tour in Shanghai.

Recently I have been working on: helping an urban redevelopment design in a town in east China.

What inspires you at work? The dedication that the younger generation of Chinese designers have for their work.

The future of the industry: It will not be easy to break through the barriers, but the future will be promising.

My greatest achievement so far is understanding the differences between academic training and applying those theories in real industry. Learning respect.