Xin Ge | LEED AP | (347) 892-0725 | xg2415@columbia.edu
Education
Columbia University
05/2023 - 05/2024
M.S. Architecture and Urban Design New York City, NY
Yunnan University
09/2018 - 05/2023
B.Eng in Urban and Rural Planning (Urban Design Studio Top 1%) Kunming, China
Work Experience
Columbia University Architectural and Urban Research Ofce | Research Study Assistant 07/2024 - Present
• Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to develop a Cargo-based website showcasing a decade of research on Recombinant Urbanism conducted in seminars at Columbia University.
• Used Photoshop and Illustrator to remake drawing of Recombinant Urbanism Website publications.
Kunming Planning and Design Institute | Urban Planning and Design Intern 09/2022 - 12/2022
• Utilized GIS to analyze and reorganize future land usage across seven villages.
• Used Photoshop to create renovation renders for villages.
• Employed InDesign to design informative policy guidance brochures for villagers to demystify planning policies and design projects for village residents.
• Partnered with the local community council to conduct social surveys in villages, collecting and analyzing villagers’ perceptions through questionnaires.
Skills Summary
Sofware: Rhino, QGIS, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, Lumion, V-Ray, AutoCAD (profcient in all, particularly in GIS, Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign)
Strength: Data visualization, mapping, render-making, video editing
Projects
Practices of Community Engagement Seminar 09/2023 - 12/2023
• Developed engagement strategies for the group and conducted interviews with residents, students, and children about W 195th Street adjacent to Kingsbridge Armory.
• Assisted in creating physical models and editing flm for the fnal exhibition, in collaboration with Advanced Architecture students from GSAPP.
Renovation of Old Residential Communities Team Leader 04/2021 - 04/2022
• Led junior students in questionnaire design, used SPSS for research, and exhibited presentation skills.
• Collected and analyzed both quantitative and qualitative data, and produced research reports.
• Oversaw the development of the research plan; presented the fnal report to the department’s expert committee.
A Comparative Study of Urban Livability Between Kunming and Guiyang City 11/2021 - 01/2022
• Collected data and conducted quantitative analysis on a slope, aspect, accessibility of water, and green land within residential communities.
Certification
CONTENTS
FROM CANAL TO CIENEGA SYSTEM
Pasacaballos, Cartagena, Colombia
FROM EDGE TO EDGE
Rockaway Peninsula, New York, NY
WEELAUNEE FOREST HEALING PROJECT
Weelaunee Forest, Atlanta, GA
WATERFRONT DESTINATION
Kunming, China
OTHER WORKS
From Canal to Cienega System
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
COURSE: Urban Design Spring Studio III WATER URBANISM, 2024
Collaborative Work as a Team of 4 Members
INSTRUCTOR: Kate Orff, Dilip da Cunha, Adriana Chavez
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Canal Del Dique connects the Cartagena Bay and Magdalena River. Its appearance was a sudden force that disturbed the natural balance amongst those two water bodies and interior cienegas. The canal opened the access of tremendous sediments running from the river to the bay and created edges between water and local communities.
Rather than a canal, we propose enhancing its cienegas as an ecology, culture and a thoroughfare, and we demonstrate the possibilities of this approach by working with the community of Pasacaballos at the mouth of the canal. We would apply multi-scaled cienegas composed of different urban infrastructures and vegetation to create triple-layered protection for communities and support local strength tones to combat contemporary economic extraction.
CANAL DEL DIQUE TO CIENEGA DEL DIQUE
Canal Del Dique connects Carribean Sea and Magdalena river, which is the main river of Colombia. The canal opened the access of tremendous sediments running from the river to the bay and created edges between water and local communities. The locals have been suffering from the injustice consequences of the industrial development by the Canal. To transform the canal into a cinega system again, we demonstrate the possibilities of this approach by working with the community of Passacaballos at the mouth of the canal.
Waterbody Greenland Watershed
NATURE = PUBLICNESS
In our first initiative, we believe nature contains power to enhance publicness in an area, so we are changing the water edge to the mangrove edge. The current water edge has so limited access to the public and so minimal existence of nature. More than an edge owned by private boat companies, it can be a mangrove edge. Sediment dredging from the canal will be utilized in land creation and made into local construction materials.
MANGROVE NURSERY
Mangrove Nursery
Red Mangrove
Red Mangrove Typha Latifolia Pontederia cordata
Manatee, Podocnemis lewyana
Wet Season Dry Season
REDUCE FLOODING
IMPROVE ECOLOGY PUBLIC DOCK
REDUCE WAVE ACTION
After the recovery of mangrove, many local species will be re-introduced to the site such as great egret, manatee, and Magdalena turtle. NATURE = PUBLICNESS | View of Public Docks
GREAT EGRET HABITAT
MAGDALENA RIVER TURTLE
MANATEE
Trichechus manatus
Podocnemis lewyana
The mangrove nursery program allows residents learn from experts to plant and take care of mangroves, leading Pasacaballos to a more sustainable future.
Step
Mangrove nursery / education
Mangrove planting
Elevate
Typha latifolia
COEXIST WITH WATER RISK
In the low ground area, residents will suffer from higher risk of flooding due to sea level rise. Therefore, our proposal aims to introduce elevated housing as an option for residents to confront the risk. The low ground area is free for mangroves to expand inward for holding tides and extreme rainfalls.
STREET VENDORS
BOAT TRANSPORTATION
Sediments Magdalena River
PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS
LOCAL PRACTITIONERS
OWN BRAND LOADING ZONE PROCESSING AREA
We practice on how the collective economy would contribute to the growth of local businesses. We reuse empty spaces on streets to create grids of fruit trees that belong to the neighborhood. Another concern we heard from the community is their seeking for feasible pisciculture with a low budget. And we see possibilities in a vacant land on high ground.
More than traditional pisciculture, it can be a production chain that initiates a collective production mode among community members.
FILTER CHANNEL
Oreochromis niloticus
PACKAGE
Filter Channle Drainage System
Staff Housing Fish Pond
Production
EDUCATE FUTURE
The community center will connect the ecology and preschool.Cienega here will be a book that exposes Children and their families to knowledge. They will learn how to care for the environment and themselves, and contribute efforts back to the community.
TRADITIONAL ARTS
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
MARKET
Runoff Collection
EXPLORE
Ecological Cienega
Purification Pool Pick-up
Cienega Park
From Edge To Edge
NEW YORK, NY
COURSE: Urban Design Summer Studio I RESILIENT NEW YORK, 2023
Collaborative Work as a Team of 2 Members
INSTRUCTOR: Nans Voron, Sagi Golan
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Rockaway Peninsula typically utilizes only half of its coastal space for just a quarter of the year, as Rockaway Beach is home to the only two designated surfing areas in New York City.
The site is a new land created at one edge of the rockaway peninsula in New York. While the location offers significant advantages in terms of water accessibility, there is great potential to attract more tourists year-round, beyond just the summer months. This could also help generate additional economic benefits and create more job opportunities for local residents, many of whom are living below the Area Median Income (AMI) of New York City.
How can we transform the Rockaway Peninsula into a destination that serves residents and New Yorkers yearround, utilizing both sides of the peninsula?
WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
system on the Rockaway Peninsula. A comprehensive water management strategy is proposed to slow and capture water throughout the site. Furthermore, the new tourist center will serve as a new public open space of the peninsula, strengthening the project's connection to tourists and residents.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL OF NEW EDGE
COASTAL SEDIMENTS PARKS
ACTIVATE
“In New York City, summer isn’t summer without Rockaway Beach. The beautiful new boardwalk is as strong and resilient as the Rockaway communities it serves, and it offers all New Yorkers more space to enjoy the sun and sand.”
— Mitchell Silver, commissioner, New York City Parks Department
Due to the opening of the Rockaway route of the NYC Ferry from Lower Mahattan, which brings in an average of 2,000 passengers on peak days in the Summer.
However, Rockaway peninsula is only using half of their coastal space for a fourth of the year. Here, we activate another edge, the "green edge", in order to attract a broader range of visitors year-round, not just during the summer season, and also providing locals with more open spaces. This would help mitigate the economic fluctuations caused by seasonal tourism and provide local residents with more amenities and job opportunities, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and thriving community.
Residential Area Entrance
Community Garden
Jamaica Bay
Key Plan
This approach enables the design to integrate more seamlessly into the community while bringing benefits. Additionally, the inclusion of local vendors will help create job opportunities and generates revenue, contributing to the sustainability of the community farm.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
KNOWLEDGEABLE FARMER
EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Scholars Academy Channel View School for Research
In order to attract tourists come to the new edge. The versatility of mix-used tourism facilities ensures year-round functionality, attracting business travelers, leisure tourists, and local patrons.
Key Plan
The children's playground is thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of the waterfront park while providing a space for children. Inspired by the coastal setting, the playground incorporates nautical and aquatic themes through its design elements, colors, and structures. Positioned near the waterfront, the playground serves as a vibrant attraction for tourists, offering a unique and family-friendly experience that enhances their visit to the park.
Mix-used Amphitheater Plaza
amphitheater plaza
as a community outreach center and a major venue for gathering events such as
When the season changes to winter, the plaza is changed into an ice skating rink . People can also enjoy the warmth of cocoa while watching the beautiful light show at Christmas.
Children's Playground
The
will be used
the Poseidon Parade in the summer.
When the night shift in Summer, the plaza will be used to host the annual NYC Women Surfing Movie Competition and outdoor movie watching.
A SUSTAINABLE EDGE
The new edge respects local species and will be used to handle the flooding issue of the peninsula.
BAS
FLOUNDER
Paralichthys
SERVICEBERRY
STRIPED
GREAT BLUE HERON
BLACK-EYED SUSAN
PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE SIGNAGE
SUBTLE PATH
PIPING PLOVER
Morone saxatilis
Ardea herodias
Rudbeckia hirta
Carex pensylvanica
Amelanchier
Charadrius melodus
dentatus
Weelaunee Forest Healing Project
ATLANTA, GA
COURSE: Urban Design Fall Studio II Atlanta After Property Vol.3, 2024
Collaborative Work as a Team of 4 Members INSTRUCTOR: Emanuel Admassu, Jelisa Blumberg, Christin Hu
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The history of Weelaunee forest dates back to the time when it was used as a plantation in the 1800s after the land of the Muskogee Creek people was taken away. The early 1900s saw the opening of prison farms, which brought back slavery through unpaid agricultural labor performed by inmates. has recently been the site of protests against what has become known as “Cop City.”
The proposed $90 million, 85-acre police training center is set to destroy parts of the forest and disproportionately affect residents of nearby majorityBlack neighborhoods. This has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among the community, who view the forest as an essential part of Atlanta’s green infrastructure.
The project's purpose is to give back the land to the community around and restore the deforestation area to forest again...
CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION IN ATLANTA
Atlanta has experienced an alarming deforestation rate of 0.37 percent annually between 2008 and 2018, making it the fifth fastest city in the country. It is evident that human redevelopment and new development are the leading causes of canopy loss in the city.
DESIGN STRATEGY
In the design, every nature element within the forest can be regarded as a potential ingredient for crafting and shaping site boundary. Nearby Communities can use nature pigment in the forest and creat their own color and signs to have a unique border.
As the borders shift, people are led into the forest where they can discover their own unique space. These spaces are temporary and ever-changing, constantly creating new boundaries that are born and destroyed over time.
Living in Harmony with Forest : Learning Essential Skills for Sustainable Living
Collaboration for Ecological Restoration : A Balanced Approach for Community Recreation and Forest Life
Living in Harmony with Forest : Learning Essential Skills for Sustainable Living Collaboration for Ecological Restoration : A Balanced Approach for Community Recreation and Forest Life
Water Destination
INSTRUCTOR: Junyu C., Juntao W. Kunming, CN
COURSE: Rural Planning and Design Fall Studio, 2021 Individual Work
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Haiyan Village gained popularity on the internet in 2020 due to its attractive pier, which became a popular spot for taking photos. However, when tourists visited the village, they often found it difficult to learn about the village's history and culture.
The village also faced common problems faced by historical towns, such as the loss of young people and a poor physical environment. In an effort to improve the sense of belonging for the inhabitants and the experience of tourists, some old buildings were demolished to improve the physical environment and four themed routes were created for the two groups. The design created themed activities for each season in order to enhance the experience of tourists. These efforts were aimed at preserving the village's history and culture while also making it more attractive and accessible for both locals and tourists.
Diverse open space nodes were created in order to enrich the diversity of activities and types of spaces along the route.
Four different types of routes are constructed for both tourists and villagers in order to transform the monotonous travel experience.
The functions of traditional houses were implanted in order to attract new visitors and provide better life standard for villagers.
Some old buildings and courtyards were demolished or trimmed in order to rebuild public spaces.
ARIEL VIEW
Inspired by the four distinct seasons in Kunming, the design created themed activities for each season in order to enhance the experience of tourists. These efforts were aimed at preserving the village's history and culture while also making it more attractive and accessible for both locals and tourists.
Community Engagement OTHER WORKS
NEW YORK, NY
COURSE: Community Engagement Seminar I FALL 2023 Collaborative Work as a Team of 3 Members
ROLE IN TEAM: On-site Interview; Collage Drawing, Model-making, Video Editing
INSTRUCTOR: Kaja Kühl
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: As a landmark with historical significance in the community, Kingsbridge Armory is also a large volume. For the school district adjacent to it, it only exists as an old building that cannot be touched in the eyes of children. The road next to the school is like a moat and the fence next to the factory is like a city wall, preventing them from understanding and contacting this unique place.
What we propose is: From a community development perspective, we should work with the local community to collect opinions and discover the potential of this historical site, with the goal of turning it from a vast wasteland into a dream factory for community development.
https://youtu.be/PuJx_lkefNA
These GIS diagram shows the GIS analysis of Guiyang, China.
GIS
ANALYSIS OTHER WORKS
COURSE: GIS Workshop I FALL 2021 Individual Work GUIYANG PROVINCE,CN
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: To measure residential happiness, two cities in southwestern China—Guiyang and Kunming, perceived to be relatively close to each other—were selected for this study. GIS analysis was used to assign weights to various dimensions, which were then summed to determine the city with the higher residential happiness score out of 100. The dimensions were grouped into three main categories: height, aspect, topography, ecology, land use, water systems, and accessibility to open spaces and water systems. The final results showed that Kunming narrowly outperformed Guiyang.
