Before becoming a planner, I was a pianist. I earned a master’s degree in music and won a national first prize in China.

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I turned to planning because I loved drawing maps by hand.

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Years later, I still love mapping. But what I value most now is the human element: knocking on doors, talking with neighbors at public meetings, learning from their comments, when planning actually connects with people.

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Along the way, I kept building websites. It goes back to 2001, when Adobe Dreamweaver was still a thing. In the 2020s, I started working with JavaScript and PHP, and experimented with no-code platforms like Bubble, Webflow, Wix, and Google Sites. In 2025, I started vibe coding - using natural language to build tools that used to require a dedicated tech team. It changed everything.

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Over time, I’ve sensed a gap between what modern technology can offer and what we actually deliver to our communities. When we rely solely on "black box" corporate software, we miss a wide range of opportunities - things we could build ourselves using tools like Leaflet, QGIS, Kepler.gl, PostGIS, Python, JavaScript, and even no-code platforms.

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Uncertain how far planners can, or should, go into technology, I created The Planning Community as an open-source platform to democratize civic tech. By sharing how these tools are built, I hope more planners can develop the skills to better serve their communities.

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Outside of planning and tech, I spend time on quantum mechanics, chess, Buddhist literature, and music. I play piano and organ at church. I learn languages. Most importantly, I play tennis with my daughter Annie - feeding balls for her one-handed backhand and catching my breath after long rallies.