Examining Urbanization, Environmental Issues in China

During the fall semester, 10 undergraduate Geographical Sciences and Environmental Science and Policy Program students traveled to China to conduct research on key urban issues that are affecting Beijing. The program was sponsored by BSOS’s Department of Geographical Sciences and the College of Geography and College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University (BNU), the leading geography program in China, with instructors from both institutions guiding participants through research projects as well as field trips and social exchanges.

“This research program exposed students to China’s physical and cultural landscapes and its human activities, and the intersections of these landscapes and activities in urban areas. A special focus of the program was the consequences of China’s accelerated urbanization,” said Dr. Mila Zlatic, who directed the program along with Dr. Shunlin Liang.

 The objective of the course was to introduce undergraduate students to research methods, data collection, field work, implementing and testing a methodology, and the analytical process for advanced research in geography. The trip also was a unique experiential learning opportunity for the students through faculty-directed field research abroad. This research program aimed to help students learn about the physical and cultural landscapes, human activities, and the interaction among them in urban China, specially focusing on the consequences of its fast urbanization.

In addition to focusing on research projects, students toured significant environmental and cultural points of interest throughout China, including the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"963","attributes":{"alt":"Students in China","class":"media-image","height":"355","style":"width: 300px; height: 222px; margin: 5px; float: left;","width":"480"}}]]Inspired by his experience in China and information he was able to access through the program, Geographical Sciences student Jaysen Kralovetz developed a research project focusing on the distribution of facilities for elderly care in each district of Beijing.

 “This work was primarily done back home in Maryland, but the seeds were planted while in Beijing. I knew that I wanted to study the impacts of urbanization on the country's rapidly growing elderly population, but did not fully design the research topic until returning home. I had read many scholarly articles in preparation for my adventure, but I got the most inspiration from being among the people in China and interacting with them,” Kralovetz said. “Upon returning to Maryland, I remained in contact with some of the students and facility from Beijing Normal University, who helped me in acquiring and translating data for my research.”

Kralovetz’s research project was designed to improve the healthcare landscape for China’s senior citizens.

“I am hoping that my research will help planners in Beijing devise better strategies for allocating residential care facilities for the elderly,” Kralovetz said.

In addition to accelerating and enhancing his research, Kralovetz said the experience changed his life and his personal outlook. “The trip has helped me to understand the world beyond my familiar borders and increased my interest in working outside of them.”

This study abroad program will be offered again this summer, in collaboration with BNU. It will be open to juniors from every major. To learn more, please contact Dr. Zlatic at 301.405.8224301.405.8224 or mzlatic@umd.edu.

Pictured above: University of Maryland travelers and the famous skyline of Shanghai. Pictured at left: At Tai Lake, Dongshan, Suzhou, China; left to right: UMD students Jake Cheng, Jaysen Kralovetz and Amelia Rock with Po, a student from Beijing Normal University that travelled with the group and assisted with translations.

Published on Mon, Feb 3, 2014 - 12:52PM