In this episode of Data-driven Policymaking for Resilient Built Environments, Dr. Yash Shukla in a conversation with Jieling Liu sharing their experiences about using qualitative and quantitative data for studying indoor and outdoor built environment which is particularly important in the current context where many cities around the world are experiencing climate change impacts such as heatwaves and natural calamities. These impacts have made the world realize the urgent need for bold and innovative climate mitigation strategies. They talk also about the data life cycle in a research project and the challenges of making the data public. In the end, the episode focuses on the efforts taken in various areas in order to enhance data-driven policymaking for making the cities more resilient.

Dr. Yashkumar Shukla is Technical Director (Energy Systems) at Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy (CARBSE), CRDF. He has more than fifteen years of international experience in building energy-efficiency research and serves as a lead on several energy-efficiency research projects at CARBSE. His current research includes calibration of simulation models, performance characterization of envelope and HVAC systems, net-zero energy buildings, and development of next-generation control algorithms. He has extensive experience in building management systems, building energy analysis, HVAC system operation, component characterization facilities, development of test chambers, building simulation modeling, and energy efficiency control algorithms His prior work experience includes providing technical support in designing and implementing commercial and residential energy-efficiency programs in the US.

Jieling Liu is pursuing her doctorate degree in the interdisciplinary program in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon. She is also Visiting Scholar at the Ostrom Workshop in Political Theory and Institutional Analysis at Indiana University Bloomington between 2019-2020. Besides, Jieling is Lead Guest Editor for the journal Cities & Health special issue - Asian City Futures: Spatial form and health. She has an academic background in Political Sciences and Journalism. Jieling’s thesis examines the planning and governance of urban green spaces as common-pool resources for climate change adaptation and health under Ecological Civilisation, in the context of rapid socio-economic urban development in China, with specific case studies drawn from Guangzhou.