From March 30 to 31, the 2023 International Forum on High-Quality Urban Development and the 13th YUANYE Summit Forum took place in Hangzhou. Centered on the theme of “Sharing & Innovation”, the event gathered nearly a hundred officials from competent authorities, domestic and overseas experts, scholars, and senior executives of renowned enterprises. Participants conducted in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics including station-city integration, urban regeneration, livable residential areas and rural revitalization, exploring new paths to drive high-quality urban development through innovation.
As China strides into the high-speed rail era, coordinating urban development and rail transit construction, and integrating transportation functions with urban public services have become key measures for advancing high-quality urban growth. At the forum, experts from the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design, Atkins, Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Institute, Chapman Taylor, Zhejiang University and Hangzhou Urban Planning & Design Institute shared their practices and insights on station-city integration, TOD comprehensive development and urban vitality enhancement, offering valuable experience for building “cities on rails” across the country.
Qiu Baoxing, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of China and Chairman of the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, delivered a video speech exploring carbon reduction approaches and solutions covering three universal urban sectors: transportation, architecture, waste management and municipal services.
The urban regeneration initiative, which transforms urban development models and economic growth patterns, is vital to improving urban quality and fostering high-quality urban development. Lü Bin, Professor at the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University and Vice Chairman of the 5th Council of the Urban Planning Society of China, pointed out that existing urban regeneration models in China face challenges amid the pursuit of high-quality urban development. Future urban renewal should return to the essence of urban life, focus on reshaping spatial value and place spirit, grant ordinary residents greater rights to shape urban life, and stimulate the self-renewal capacity of urban spaces.
The forum also put a special focus on rural revitalization and characteristic towns. Participants discussed ways to advance rural revitalization, plan and design beautiful villages, boost rural cultural tourism and other industries, and unlock new visions and value of rural areas. Monika Kuo, Professor at Chinese Culture University (Taiwan) and President of IFLA Asia-Pacific stated that rural revitalization is more than preserving nostalgia. In the post-pandemic era, it is essential to build a sound urban-rural green foundation, strengthen the resilience of urban and rural areas and people’s well-being, and work toward a healthy and prosperous society.
Interdisciplinary integration has become an irresistible trend for high-quality urban development. During the event, urban planners, architects and landscape architects exchanged ideas and inspired one another. Hot topics also included architectural style and urban design, exhibition parks and park cities, as well as artificial intelligence and the metaverse.
