On the afternoon of yesterday (October 26), the Information Office of
the Shanghai Municipality held a press conference for the China Observance of
World Cities Day 2023. Li Zhe, deputy director of the Planning, Finance and
Foreign Affairs Department of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural
Development, and Jin Chen, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission
of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, introduced the details of international
cooperation on World Cities Day and the overall arrangements for this year’s
China observance, respectively. Yang Rong, China affairs coordinator of the
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and Liu Qianwei, chief engineer of the Shanghai Municipal Commission
of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, attended the press conference, and
answered questions from reporters.

I.

The China Observance of World Cities Day 2023
is scheduled to take place in Shanghai from October 28 to October 31. Under the
theme of “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All,” this significant
gathering is jointly organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural
Development, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, and the UN-Habitat.
Concurrently, the global observance is set to unfold in Istanbul, Turkey.

Back in 2013, China took a pivotal step by
advocating for the United Nations to designate October 31 as World Cities Day.
On October 31, 2014, Shanghai played host to the inaugural global observance of
World Cities Day. Since its inception, World Cities Day has witnessed an array
of promotional activities both domestically and internationally, culminating in
a series of global and China observances. In 2016, the 3rd United Nations
Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development underscored the importance
of World Cities Day as a key tool for advancing the global realization of the
New Urban Agenda, a landmark outcome document of the conference. Over the
years, a growing number of cities worldwide have embraced the spirit of World
Cities Day, contributing to its expanding influence. This annual event now
serves as a dynamic platform for cities across the globe to exchange ideas and
foster cooperation, elevating international awareness about urban development.
World Cities Day plays a pivotal role in championing sustainable urban
development on a global scale, furthering the implementation of the United
Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.

In 2023, we commemorate the significant
milestone of the 10th anniversary of World Cities Day. Over the past decade,
this observance has served as a global platform for cities to exchange
experiences, foster cooperation, and make enduring contributions toward the
creation of a sustainable, inclusive, safe, and resilient world. In June of
this year, UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and
Urban-Rural Development and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government,
organized a commemorative exhibition in Nairobi, Kenya, celebrating the 10th
anniversary of World Cities Day. This event offered a poignant reflection on
the rich 10-year history of World Cities Day, effectively illustrating the positive
influence and advocacy role that World Cities Day has played in advancing the
cause of sustainable development. It has also captured the heightened global
attention directed toward urban sustainability.

A year ago, President Xi
Jinping conveyed a congratulatory letter to the Global Observance of World
Cities Day 2022. This underscored the profound commitment of the Chinese
government to sustainable development, elucidating the vital role of achieving
sustainable urban development in fostering equilibrium, coordination,
inclusivity, and cooperation for the collective benefit of all. It emphasized
the significance of a development paradigm founded on mutual benefit and common
prosperity, thereby charting a clear course for the exploration of sustainable
development pathways. In the future, World Cities Day is poised to evolve into
a pivotal platform for promoting the principles of sustainable urban
development worldwide and fostering discussions on cooperative approaches to
address the myriad challenges faced by urban areas. The China observance of
World Cities Day for this year will be centered around a theme that underscores
the exchange and presentation of domestic and international policies,
experiences, and best practices in the pursuit of the United Nations 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development and Global Development Initiative.

Cities stand as
quintessential symbols of human civilization, serving as pivotal hubs for
modernization. They are home to over half of the global population, fostering a
harmonious and contented way of life. In recent years, China has remained
dedicated to President Xi Jinping’s visionary concept of “people’s cities built
by the people and people’s cities for the people.” This commitment has spurred
urban development and construction, continually bolstering the comprehensive
capacity of our cities. Notably, there have been substantial enhancements in
residents’ housing conditions and a remarkable elevation in the quality of the
living environment. By the close of 2022, the urbanization rate for China’s
permanent population reached 65.22%. The national urban road network extended
over 548,500 kilometers, while urban gas accessibility, sewage treatment rates,
and domestic waste management compliance stood at 98.08%, 97.89%, and 99.92%,
respectively. The average green space in parks per capita totaled 15.12 square
meters. As we embark on a new journey, we will remain steadfast in our
commitment to the people-centric development philosophy. We will continually
refine urban planning, construction, and governance, implement urban renewal
initiatives, enhance the quality of housing and municipal infrastructure
development, and propel our cities toward a future marked by heightened
quality, increased efficiency, enhanced equity, sustained sustainability, and
enhanced safety.

As a nation with a diverse population, our
commitment to advancing high-quality urban development within our borders goes
hand in hand with our unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration with
international bodies, including the UN-Habitat. We actively contribute Chinese
wisdom and innovative solutions to the international community, championing the
cause of sustainable development on a global scale. In alignment with the
initiatives associated with World Cities Day, we have established robust partnerships
with UN-Habitat, including the Global Urban Monitoring Framework - Shanghai
Index and the Shanghai Manual A Guide For Sustainable Urban Development In The
21st Century.

II.

Since the inception of World Cities
Day in 2013, Shanghai has hosted two global observances and two China
observances. The 2023 China observance in Shanghai will feature an array of
engaging activities, including an opening ceremony, over 20 sub-forums, side
events, exhibitions, and more.

The grand opening ceremony is
scheduled for the afternoon of October 28 at North Bund, Shanghai, coinciding
with the inauguration of the 3rd SDG Cities Global Conference. During this
occasion, the prestigious Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities
(Shanghai Award) will be presented to honor cities worldwide that have achieved
remarkable success in advancing sustainable development. In its inaugural year,
this award will be bestowed upon five outstanding cities.

A
diverse array of more than 20 sub-forums and side events will convene to delve
into pressing topics within the sphere of urban sustainable development,
covering pivotal themes related to the economy, society, and the environment.
Notable among these is the Green Development and Sustainable Development
Financing Forum, which Shanghai will host. Additionally, the Ministry of
Housing and Urban-Rural Development will facilitate the 2023 Mayors Forum on
the High-Quality Development of Chinese Cities. International
bodies, including the UN-Habitat, will
collaborate with Shanghai to organize an extensive series of activities as part
of the SDG Cities
Global Conference. Furthermore, in celebration of the 25th
anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Shanghai and Espoo,
Finland, a special event on sustainable development between Shanghai and Espoo
will be held.

Two noteworthy exhibitions are set to captivate
visitors: the World Cities Day themed exhibition and the 2023 Shanghai
International City and Architecture Expo. The World Cities Day themed
exhibition will take centre stage at the opening ceremony on October 28,
spotlighting four distinct themes: “People’s City with a New Chapter,” “Green
Construction,” “Financing Sustainable Development,” and “Technology Empowering
Architecture.” It will vividly showcase the representative and tangible
accomplishments in urban sustainable development achieved in Shanghai, across
the nation, and around the world in recent years. Meanwhile, the 2023 Shanghai
International City and Architecture Expo will grace the Shanghai World Expo
Exhibition and Convention Centre from October 30 to November 1. The expo’s
theme, “Eco-city, Green development,” underscores its expansive reach, covering
an exhibition area of nearly 50,000 square meters.

This
event promises to unveil a series of significant outcomes. Apart from the
highly anticipated revelation of the inaugural Global Award for Sustainable
Development in Cities (Shanghai Award), it
will introduce an array of publications, including the Shanghai Manual 2023, the
Global Urban Monitoring Framework-Shanghai Index, the Shanghai Report 2023, the
third batch of five books on exploration and practices of developing a people’s
city in Shanghai in the new era, as well as the World Cities Day Achievements 2022.
Furthermore, a collection of exemplary instances from Shanghai’s sustainable
development initiatives, chronicled over the years in the Shanghai Manual, will
be thoughtfully curated into a book and presented under the title of Shanghai Paradigm.

The products and
accomplishments of World Cities Day bearing the name “Shanghai”
serve as powerful testaments to the deep-rooted connection between Shanghai and
this global celebration. They also embody Shanghai’s dynamic engagement in the arena of global urban
sustainable development. As the birthplace of the pivotal “People’s
City” concept, Shanghai aligns
itself with the visionary roadmap for modernization outlined by the 20th
National Congress of the Communist Party of China. It unwaveringly embraces the
ethos of “Better City, Better Life” and is dedicated to shaping the Shanghai Paradigm for urban
modernization and sustainable development.

Shanghai has consistently
prioritized creating an environment that is not only habitable but secure,
expediting efforts to revitalize and transform the old buidlings and ubran villages. This year alone,
substantial strides have been made, with the renovation of 85,200 square meters
of lower-grade, scattered, old housing and the complete refurbishment of
247,700 square meters of aging residential properties. Additionally, 10 urban village reconstruction projects have been
launched. A comprehensive
exploration of Shanghai’s model for sustainable
urban renewal has been accompanied by the establishment of sound policy systems
and operational mechanisms. Key urban renewal endeavors, such as Jing’an Fangua Lane, Qingpu Panlong Ancient Town, and
Xuhui Wukang Building, are making remarkable progress. A significant 68,000
additional units (rooms) of affordable rental housing have been constructed and
funded. The inaugural batch of “Homes
for New
Era City Builders and Managers” has provided around
11,000 beds, with nearly 7,000 beds already in use.

The
city has been cultivating an urban space that is not only livable but also
enjoyable and engaging. This entails the coordinated development, management,
and quality enhancement of Huangpu
River and Suzhou Creek. Furthermore, 8 kilometers of riverside shoreline in
Pudong and Minhang along the upper reaches of the Huangpu River have been
seamlessly connected and opened to the public. New highlights in the waterfront
landscape, like the Suhe Bay Green Space, the North Bund Navigation
Park, and Dongjiadu Landscape Flower
Bridge, have
quickly become popular destinations for citizens and visitors alike. Shanghai is vigorously advancing the construction
of sponge city demonstration areas and green, low-carbon pilot zones. The drive
to enhance the overall quality of the city is in full swing, exemplified by the
creation of 75 “beautiful blocks.”

Shanghai has been delivering on its aspiration to build a green, smart, and resilient metropolis. To
achieve this, the management and oversight of green building projects are being
reinforced, and the development of green and ecological urban spaces is actively championed.
This year, approximately 2.6 million square meters of ultra-low energy
consumption building projects are underway, complemented by energy-saving
renovations in 5.3 million square meters of existing public structures. Shanghai is equally dedicated to solidifying the
digital infrastructure of urban governance. A holistic digital transformation
across various spheres of urban construction and management is being diligently
pursued. Particular attention is channeled into the realm of gas supply safety,
where the oversight, control, and emergency response to major risk sources are
fortified, forging a robust security perimeter for this megacity.