XIAO Chaowei: Livelihoods and the Future in the Central Urban Work Conference

At the Central Urban Work Conference held on July 14–15, it was clarified that China's urbanization has entered a phase of steady development. Urban growth is now shifting from outward expansion to inward improvement. This transformation reflects a fundamental change in development philosophy from "pancake-style" sprawl to "embroidery-style" meticulous refinement. In terms of planning, older urban areas will be upgraded through "micro-renewals" to enhance convenience infrastructure, while new districts will be equipped with public services in parallel to avoid becoming "dormitory towns." Industrial development will focus on upgrading local advantages and revitalizing underutilized spaces. Public services will be tailored to meet the specific needs of different population groups.

The Conference's proposed "Five Transformations" aim to promote more coordinated and efficient governance. Administrative processes will be simplified through "One-Stop Online Government Services," while land use will be optimized via "mixed-use" zoning to tap into hidden potential. Talent policies will shift toward building entrepreneurial platforms. In the housing sector, a new model will be developed: increasing the supply of affordable housing, regulating developer behavior, piloting the sale of completed homes, and promoting whole-life-cycle housing, supported by corresponding land and financial policies. Old city renewal will emphasize "warmth" and "memory," with residents involved in decision-making and diversified funding mechanisms to ease the financial burden. In innovation-oriented cities, stronger cooperation between industry, academia, and research institutions will be encouraged to establish platforms for technology commercialization and service chains. Smart cities will be reinforced through strengthened data security, enhanced elder-friendly services, and citizen hotlines to support responsive governance. These efforts are poised to drive high-quality urban development, ultimately translating into a stronger sense of fulfillment for residents and new momentum for city growth.

(The above content is excerpted and translated from remarks by Research Fellow XIAO Chaowei, Deputy Director of the Urban Renewal Research Center at the National Academy of Development and Strategy, Renmin University of China, in an interview with zhonghongwang.com.)

Linkage: [zhonghongwang.com] Expert Analysis: Livelihoods and the Future in the Central Urban Work Conference