Campus Epidemic Risk Assessment and the Epidemic Prevention for Campus Planning – A Case Study of Tianjin University Weijin Road Campus

As an essential unit in urban space allocation and epidemic prevention and control, the epidemic prevention performance of colleges and universities is closely related to the health of teachers and students as well as to social stability. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered students’ travel behavior and imposed new requirements on campus spatial design. With the normalization of epidemic prevention and control, humanity must coexist with COVID-19 over the long term. Traditional campus spatial configurations are insufficient to meet the persistent demands of epidemic prevention and management. In this context, campus spaces in the post-epidemic era should be capable of responding to sudden public health events, making dedicated epidemic prevention planning essential.

To explore the fundamental principles, methods, and design elements of such planning, this study proposes a technical framework comprising three stages: simulation – risk assessment – post-optimization assessment. First, a multi-agent simulation model is developed to dynamically simulate student travel behavior and COVID-19 transmission within campus spaces under epidemic conditions. Second, a university epidemic risk assessment index system is constructed to identify susceptible areas and analyze existing spatial problems. Third, a specialized campus epidemic prevention plan is formulated to enhance the capacity of campus spaces to prevent and respond to epidemics. The optimized scheme is then re-simulated to verify its effectiveness.

Using the Weijin Road Campus of Tianjin University as a case study, this paper applies the proposed framework in an empirical setting. Based on students’ travel patterns, a comprehensive evaluation of the campus environment is conducted to locate key epidemic prevention areas. The simulation scope is defined, experiments are designed, virtual scenes are built, and model parameters are calibrated. Student movement and virus transmission in key prevention zones are simulated, and vulnerable areas are identified using epidemic risk indicators. A three-tier epidemic prevention system—campus – key epidemic prevention areas – vulnerable areas—is then constructed. Planning schemes are proposed for each level according to current conditions, spatial characteristics, and identified weaknesses, with progressive refinement of the design content.

The planning focuses on zoning layouts for epidemic prevention, emergency rescue and logistics channels, emergency material storage and distribution facilities, and emergency medical facilities. Public spaces and epidemic prevention facilities in key prevention zones are optimized. For vulnerable areas, the street layout is examined in terms of style, quality, function, form, and spatial distribution. Problematic streets are addressed through improvements to the road network structure, widening of walkable paths, and enhancement of green infrastructure. The optimization schemes for key epidemic prevention areas are integrated and re-evaluated, with results showing a significant positive effect in curbing virus transmission on campus.

Finally, based on the empirical findings, this paper seeks to establish a broadly applicable and widely adoptable model for campus epidemic prevention planning, offering a reference framework for practical implementation. Seven planning and design recommendations are summarized in two dimensions: hierarchical epidemic prevention system planning and campus spatial optimization design.

Recommended citation: Tianyi Xiao. (2022). Campus Epidemic Risk Assessment and the Epidemic Prevention for Campus Planning – A Case Study of Tianjin University Weijin Road Campus. Tianjin University M.Sc Thesis, Tianjin, China.
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