Top experts share their vision for designing China’s urban development future顶尖专家畅谈中国城市发展未来愿景
Introduction
Recently Shenyang hosted the plenary session of the 2025 China Urban Planning Annual Conference, plenary session. As the first nationwide academic event in the field of planning and construction to take place following the 2025 Central Urban Work Conference, this year’s gathering carried a clear sense of timeliness and a significant mission for the industry. Centered on the theme “Towards Chinese Modernization: The Value and Impact of Planning,” the conference explored how planning can serve as a driving force in this new era.
Covering everything from policy interpretation to technological exchange, and from theoretical research to applied innovation, the event remained closely aligned with current trends and addressed the most pressing questions for the sector.
引言
近日，沈阳举办了2025中国城市规划年会全体大会。作为继2025中央城市工作会议之后，规划与建设领域首个全国性学术盛会，本届大会承载着鲜明的时代特征和重要的行业使命。大会以“迈向中国式现代化：规划的价值与影响”为主题，探讨了规划在新时代如何发挥推动作用。
会议内容涵盖政策解读、技术交流、理论研究以及应用创新，紧扣行业发展趋势，回应了当下最受关注的核心议题。
Key Speakers – Insights Sharing
- Qin Haixiang – Vice Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
Vice Minister Qin Haixiang emphasized that urban planning must pursue the dual objectives of high-quality urban development and the construction of modern people’s cities. He underlined the importance of considering the entire life cycle—planning, construction, operation, and governance—while constantly innovating working methods.
Qin noted that many existing urban planning policies, regulations, and standards were formulated during the era of rapid expansion, and are no longer suited to today’s needs for stock management, quality improvement, and efficiency. In this new phase of development, marked by the “two shifts,” he called for deeper reforms in urban planning and design, and the establishment of a planning system aligned with the requirements of high-quality urban development.
- Yang Weimin – Member of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Political Consultative Conference, Vice-Chairman of the Economic Committee, and former Vice-Chairperson of the Office of the Central Leading Group on Finance and Commerce
Yang Weimin pointed out that the process of planning is even more important than the text of the plan itself. First and foremost, he argued, it is necessary to clarify the development strategy, summarize past experiences, and evaluate outcomes properly—rather than blindly piling up projects. He stressed the need for a fundamental shift in how governments promote development: moving away from a land-centric approach and toward one driven by innovation.
Plans, Yang said, should be clear, concise, and logical, avoiding unnecessary slogans and acronyms. They should be written from the perspective of enterprises and the public, ensuring both readability and practical implementation. He concluded firmly: “Planning is not something you just write—it is something you research, discuss, and debate.”
- Zhang Bing – General Planning Officer, Department of Natural Resources
Speaking on behalf of Minister Guan Zhioo, Zhang Bing highlighted the importance of fully implementing the spirit of the Central Urban Work Conference. He emphasized that urban planning must be guided by the requirements of Chinese modernization, maintaining a people-centered approach, and promoting the transition of urban development from incremental expansion to stock improvement. With China’s urbanization rate now reaching 67%, he stressed that the country has entered a new stage and faces new tasks in urban management and planning.
- Yang Baojun – Director of the China Urban Planning Society
Yang Baojun raised three fundamental questions for planning in the new era.
First, the question of value: how can planning embody the original aspiration of building a “people’s city”? How can it integrate diverse goals such as innovation, livability, beauty, resilience, civilization, and wisdom, to improve people’s sense of satisfaction?
Second, the issue of implementation empowerment: how can planning provide practical support for structural optimization, energy transition, quality improvement, green transformation, stronger governance, and safeguarding the bottom line of safety?
Third, the matter of integration: how can planning platforms, within the current institutional mechanisms, serve as vehicles for multi-sectoral, multi-mission, multi-disciplinary, and multi-objective coordination? Ultimately, Yang concluded, the true value of planning must be measured by how much it improves citizens’ happiness, sense of security, and overall satisfaction with urban life.
- Wu Zhiqiang – Chief Supervisor of the China Urban Planning Society, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor at Tongji University
Wu Zhiqiang elaborated on the eight relationships between cities and civilization, stressing that planning a city is ultimately a commitment to civilization. He explained that the primary mission of urban planning is to create the foundations for the survival and flourishing of civilization. Urban planning, he argued, is indispensable for achieving the prosperity of modern civilization.
The key to contemporary urban planning, Wu said, lies in creating spaces for modern urban civilization. Only planning that enables intelligent ecological progress can truly ensure a viable future. Yet, he concluded, the ultimate criterion for all civilizations—whether ecological or intellectual—remains the same: to deliver a good life for urban residents.
- Wang Jianguo – Vice President of the China Urban Planning Society, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director of the Urban Design Research Center at Southeast University
Wang Jianguo discussed the complexities of urban renewal, involving historical layers, diverse neighborhoods, property management, and multiple stakeholders. He emphasized that renewal should enhance city vitality, market competitiveness, and project profitability, while integrating creative design, digital tools, and green, low-carbon approaches, making urban renewal a pathway to sustainable development.
- Sun Yimin Vice President of the China Urban Planning Society, Professor at South China University of Technology, Academic Dean at China Central University of Science and Technology
Sun Yimin presented the theory of “smart construction,” guided by science, intensive construction, and sustainability. He proposed an innovative system combining planning, design, technology, and practice to enable holistic, ground-up understanding of cities and support practical problem-solving in urban management.
- Wang Kai – Vice Chairman of the Urban Planning Society of China, President of the Urban Planning Institute of China, Master of National Engineering Investigation and Survey
Wang Kai highlighted the role of urban planning in navigating economic uncertainty and supporting the dual-cycle development strategy. He called for globally oriented planning, regional growth support, and prioritizing urban renewal, focusing on people-centered development, workflow innovation, and sustainable city growth.
- Xu Xiaoli – Deputy Director and Researcher of the Center for Land Space Planning Research, Ministry of Natural Resources
Xu Xiaoli emphasized that planners should act as “space builders” and “value creators”, integrating planning systems, shaping spatial patterns, resolving institutional bottlenecks, and unlocking land potential to drive modernized spatial governance.
- Long Qiu – Deputy Chairman of the Professional Committee on the Application of New Technologies in Urban Planning, China Urban Planning Society; Professor Emeritus, Tsinghua University.
Long Qiu focused on urban artificial intelligence and its drivers, including technological iteration, data environments, and national strategy. He highlighted active perception technologies—drones, sensor networks, NLP, computer vision—and their use with large models and generative AI to generate, simulate, and improve urban planning solutions and living environments.
The plenary session’s opening ceremony was presided over by Shi Nan, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Urban Planning Society. The keynote report session was chaired by Vice Presidents Zhang Wenzhong, He Xinghua, and Vice Supervisor Yin Jie.
核心嘉宾·洞见分享
- 秦海翔——住房城乡建设部党组成员，副部长
秦海翔副部长指出，城市规划必须同时追求高质量城市发展与现代化人民城市建设这两个目标。他强调，要统筹规划、建设、运营和治理的全生命周期，并不断创新工作方法。
秦副部长提到，许多现行的城市规划政策、法规和标准是在城市快速扩张时期制定的，已不再适应当下存量管理、质量提升和效率优化的需求。在以“两个转变”为特征的新发展阶段，他呼吁深化城市规划与设计改革，建立符合高质量城市发展要求的规划体系。
- 杨伟民——十三届全国政协常委、经济委员会副主任，原中央财经领导小组办公室副主任
杨伟民指出，规划的编制过程比文本本身更为重要。首先，应当明确发展战略，系统总结经验并做好成效评估，而不是盲目堆砌项目。他强调，政府推动发展的方式必须实现根本转变：从以土地为核心，转向以创新驱动为主。在具体方法上，他提出，规划文本要清晰、简明、逻辑严谨，避免堆砌口号和缩略语，应站在企业和公众的角度来书写，确保既具可读性，又能切实执行。他最后强调：“规划不是写出来的，而是研究、讨论和争论出来的。”
- 张兵——自然资源部总规划师
张兵受关志鸥部长委托，强调要全面贯彻落实中央城市工作会议精神。他指出，城市规划必须以中国式现代化要求为引领，坚持以人民为中心，推动城市发展从增量扩张向存量提质转变。随着我国城镇化率已达67%，城市发展已进入新阶段，面临新的任务与挑战。
- 杨保军——中国城市规划学会理事长
杨保军在发言中提出，新时代的规划工作必须直面三个根本性问题。首先是价值之问，即规划如何体现建设“人民城市”的初心，如何将创新、宜居、美丽、韧性、文明和智慧等多元目标有机结合，从而切实提升人民的满意度。其次是作为之问，即在结构优化、动能转换、品质提升、绿色转型、治理增效以及安全底线等多方面的任务面前，规划如何发挥实施层面的支撑作用。最后是融合之问，即在现有体制机制下，规划平台如何成为推动多部门协同、多任务协调、多专业合作和多目标实现的重要载体。
他最后强调，规划的真正价值最终必须以改善市民的幸福感、安全感和整体满意度为衡量标准。
- 吴志强——中国城市规划学会监事长，中国工程院院士，同济大学建筑与城市规划学院教授
吴志强系统阐述了城市与文明之间的八大关系，强调规划城市的过程，归根结底是一种对文明的承诺。他指出，城市规划的首要使命，就是为文明的生存与繁荣奠定坚实的基础，而规划本身也是实现现代文明兴盛不可或缺的支撑力量。
他进一步强调，当代城市规划的关键在于创造承载现代城市文明的空间。唯有推动智能化与生态化进步的规划，才能真正确保未来的发展可持续。然而，他也指出，无论是生态文明还是数智文明，所有文明的最终评判标准都回归于同一个目标——为城市居民创造美好生活。
- 王建国——中国城市规划学会副理事长，中国工程院院士，东南大学城市设计研究中心主任
王建国指出，城市更新是一项复杂的系统工程，涉及历史层次、街区类型、产权管理以及多方利益相关者。他强调，更新工作不仅要增强城市活力，还要提升市场竞争力和项目的可盈利性。同时，城市更新应充分融入创意设计、数字化工具和绿色低碳理念，使其成为推动城市可持续发展的重要途径。
- 孙一民——中国城市规划学会副理事长，华南理工大学教授，华中科技大学建筑与城市规划学院学术院长
孙一民提出了“精明营建”理论，以科学、集约和可持续为核心目标。他倡导构建一个融合规划、设计、技术与实践的创新体系，从整体与基层双向理解城市，支持在城市治理和管理中更有效地解决实际问题。
- 王凯——中国城市规划学会副理事长，中国城市规划设计研究院院长，全国工程勘察设计大师
王凯强调，城市规划在应对国际经济不确定性和服务“双循环”发展战略中发挥着重要作用。他呼吁推进面向全球的区域开放格局，支持区域协调发展，并以城市更新为主要抓手，坚持以人民为中心，推动流程创新和可持续发展，全面提升城市内涵与质量。
- 徐小黎——自然资源部国土空间规划研究中心副主任、研究员
徐小黎指出，规划师应当成为“空间缔造者”和“价值策源者”。这不仅要求他们在规划体系中发挥衔接作用、塑造空间格局，还需要破解制度瓶颈，激活土地潜能，从而推动空间治理现代化和多元价值的再生。
- 龙瀛——中国城市规划学会城市规划新技术应用专业委员会副主任委员，清华大学建筑学院长聘教授
龙瀛聚焦城市人工智能的发展动力，包括技术迭代、数据环境和国家战略。他强调，无人机、传感器网络、自然语言处理、计算机视觉等主动感知与分析技术，结合大模型和生成式人工智能，正在广泛应用于方案生成、模拟与优化。这些新工具不仅提升了城市规划研究的科学性和实施力，也改善了人居环境质量。
本次全体大会的开幕式由中国城市规划学会常务副理事长兼秘书长石楠主持。主旨报告环节则由副理事长张文忠、何兴华以及副监事长尹稚共同主持。
CNEUCN CEO sharing
Massimo Bagnasco, CEO of CNEUCN, reflecting on the interventions and insights shared by the experts, emphasized how encouraging it is to see a growing convergence of views on a crucial point: bringing urban planning back to a user-centered approach – focused on people.
Human beings must once again become the core of the planning process, so that cities can truly be “human-friendly”. This may sound obvious, yet both in the past – and to some extent still today – urban planning has often failed to prioritize the real needs of those who live in and use these spaces on a daily basis.
A second strategic aspect is the integration of new technologies – from artificial intelligence to the Internet of Things and the digitalization of processes – as tools to optimize urban planning and management. However, this innovation must go hand in hand with a rediscovery of the traditional design principles that made historic cities human-scale, efficient, and resilient. In short: learn from the past to design the future, combining simplicity, innovation, and the principles of sustainable planning promoted by initiatives such as the United Nations SDGs and UN-Habitat guidelines.
Finally, special attention must be paid to the efficient use of natural resources, environmental sustainability, and decarbonization targets, in line with the European Green Deal and global commitments to climate neutrality. The cities of the future must be conceived as self-sufficient ecosystems, able to produce sustainably what they need, minimize waste, and maintain an ecological balance. This means planning urban systems capable of reabsorbing and valorizing their own waste streams through circular economy models, creating a virtuous cycle that protects biodiversity and ensures long-term resilience and quality of life.
仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）首席执行官分享
仲欧脱碳科技（CNEUCN）首席执行官马晓利先生在回顾专家们的发言与洞见时指出，令人倍感鼓舞的一点，是越来越多的观点在一个关键问题上趋于一致：即将城市规划重新拉回以使用者为中心的轨道，把“人”重新放在核心位置。唯有人类再次成为规划过程的主体，城市才能真正成为“友好宜居”的空间。这一点看似显而易见，但事实上，在过去乃至当下，城市规划往往未能充分优先考虑日常生活在其中的居民和使用者的真实需求。
他进一步强调的第二个战略重点，是要将新技术全面融入规划和管理之中。从人工智能、物联网到流程数字化，这些都是优化城市规划和治理的重要工具。然而，这种创新必须与对传统设计原则的再发现并行不悖。正是这些原则，使得历史城市能够保持以人为尺度、高效而又富有韧性。简言之，就是要“向历史学习以设计未来”，在创新与简约之间找到平衡，并结合联合国可持续发展目标（SDGs）以及联合国人居署倡导的可持续规划原则。
最后，他强调必须特别关注自然资源的高效利用、环境可持续性以及去碳化目标。这不仅符合欧洲绿色协议的方向，也契合全球气候中和的承诺。未来的城市应当被构想为自给自足的生态系统，能够可持续地生产所需、最大限度减少浪费，并保持生态平衡。这意味着要规划出能够通过循环经济模式吸收并利用自身废弃物的城市系统，形成良性循环，既保护生物多样性，又确保城市的长期韧性与生活质量。
Credits: Special thanks to the China Urban Planning Society (中国城市规划学会) for providing the official conference information and images.
致谢：特别感谢中国城市规划学会为本次大会提供官方信息与图片支持。
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