Reader in Architecture and Sensory Environments, School of Architecture and Design, Birmingham City University
Dr Jieling Xiao is a Reader in Sensory Urbanism and Design at the Birmingham School of Architecture and Design. Her research interests lie in theories and creative practices of place-making and environmental design that interpret and play with people’s sensory experiences, particularly concerning smellscape and soundscapes. Her co-edited issue on 'Smells, Wellbeing and the Built Environment' explores how smells affect people’s everyday experiences, wellbeing, and emotional connections to places. She advocates for designing environments that consider olfactory elements—the scents of greenery, water, and other natural features—as part of urban planning, which can contribute to both restorative environments and place identity. Her recent collaboration on the Multi-Modal Hong Kong project, explores new ways of documenting soundscapes and smellscapes of the living heritage in Hong Kong.