Effa LU

I am Effa LU, from the northernmost region of China - Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. I hold a Bachelor degree with Honours in Environmental Design from the School of Design at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and participated in an exchange program in Interior Architecture at the University of Edinburgh in the UK. I have also conducted fieldwork in Burkina Faso and volunteered in power infrastructure projects in Rwanda. Professionally, I have worked at BEAU Architect (Hong Kong), RSP Architects Planners & Engineers (Shanghai), and Gensler (Hong Kong). Currently, I am pursuing a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with concentrations in Environment, Climate & Society, and International Development. My research focuses on integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) systems into modern spatial planning, emphasizing sustainable rural development by balancing cultural preservation and environmental resilience. My long-term goal is to advance inclusive planning strategies through participatory frameworks.