Ying Liu

ying.liu(at)sciencespo.fr

Ying Liu holds a dual PhD in Urban Studies and Sociology from the University of Milan-Bicocca and Sciences Po, respectively. She is currently an affiliated researcher at CRIS.

She also holds two master’s degrees: one in Sociology from the London School of Economics (LSE), and another in Urban Governance from Sciences Po.

Her doctoral dissertation, “Policies, Practices, and Imaginaries: Urban Regeneration in China – Chengdu as a Case,” explores the interactions between state institutions, market forces, and local communities in the transformation of urban landscapes. Ying has extensive theoretical training and research experience in the Global South, with a focus on China.

Informed by her professional background in architecture and urban design in China, her research interests include urban regeneration, governance, culture and consumption, socio-spatial inequality, and gentrification in Chinese cities. Methodologically, she has interdisciplinary and mixed-method training, with extensive experience in qualitative research.

Communications - Presentations

• 2025, “Community as A Way of Economic, Political and Cultural Governance in Urban Regeneration: The Chengdu Model”, The 2025 International Conference on China Urban Development, University College London, 7-8 July, London, UK
• 2024, "Everydayness, Scenescape, and Authenticity: Contemporary Urban Regeneration in Chengdu", Urban Futures - Cultural Pasts, Architecture Media Politics Society (AMPS) Conference, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, 15-17 July, Barcelona.
• 2022, “Reproducing Authenticity: A Case Study of Contemporary Urban Regeneration in Chengdu, China”, International Sociological Association, Research Committee 21, Panel 10, 24-26 August, Athens.
• 2022, “Reproducing Authenticity: A Case Study of Contemporary Urban Regeneration in Chengdu, China”, The IV Midterm Conference of European Sociological Association, Research Network 37 Urban Sociology, Session 26, 5-7 October, Berlin.
• 2021, "Rethinking State-Driven Gentrification in China: A Case Study of the Urban regeneration in Beijing's Historic Area 2009-2919", International Sociological Association, Research Committee 21, Section 46, 14-16 July, Antwerp.
• 2021, "City as A Commodity or A Right: The Dilemna of Urban Regeneration in Beijing's Historic Area", The IV Midterm Conference of European Sociological Association, Research Network 37 Urban Sociology, Session 12, 27-29 January, Bologna.