LI Wenzhao: Pioneering a New Path of Chinese Urban Modernization

The Central Urban Work Conference proposed the important principles of the “Five Transformations” and “Five Emphases,” which involve shifts in concepts, approaches, driving forces, priorities, and methods. These represent a systematic transformation and a major breakthrough in both urban work theory and practice. They will help promote high-quality urban development in a scientific, efficient, and human-centered manner, and achieve the goal of “making cities better places to live,” thus forging a new path of Chinese urban modernization.

“Transforming the concept of urban development, with greater emphasis on people-centered approaches” is a reshaping of development philosophy. It integrates urban development with the people-centered development concept and is an inherent requirement for building modern people-oriented cities.

“Transforming the mode of urban development, with greater emphasis on intensive and efficient use” is a reshaping of the development pathway. It aligns urban development with the idea of high-quality growth and is key to improving the quality and level of urban development.

“Transforming the drivers of urban development, with greater emphasis on distinctive development” is a reshaping of development mechanisms. It combines urban development with the principle of adapting to local conditions and is a necessary step in enhancing a city’s core competitiveness.

“Transforming the focus of urban work, with greater emphasis on governance investment” is a reshaping of the priorities in urban work. It integrates urban management with modern governance concepts and serves as an important foundation for high-standard urban renewal, high-level operations, and high-efficiency governance.

“Transforming the methods of urban work, with greater emphasis on overall coordination” is a fundamental reshaping of working methods. It aligns urban work with systems thinking and other scientific approaches, providing strong support for improving the urban work framework and enhancing synergy.

(The above viewpoints are excerpted and translated from an interview with LI Wenzhao, a researcher at the National Academy of Development and Strategy and professor at the School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, published in China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News.)

Original article link: [China Discipline Inspection and Supervision News] Pioneering a New Path of Chinese Urban Modernization

Translator: ZHANG Yuqing
Web Editor: ZHANG Jingjing