Tsinghua University School of Public Policy and Management Hosts High-Level Forum on New-Type Urbanization and Sustainable Development - Tsinghua University
**Abstract: High-Level Forum on New Urbanization and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University** On April 24, Tsinghua University's School of Public Policy and Management (SPPM) hosted the "High-Level Forum on New Urbanization and Sustainable Development" in the university's Main Building Reception Hall. The event, co-organized by Tsinghua China Development Planning Research Center and 21st Century Media, gathered over 200 participants, including government officials, scholars, financial investors, and business leaders, to discuss the strategic direction and challenges of China's new urbanization efforts. **Opening Remarks and Keynote Speeches:** Tsinghua University Vice President Xie Weihuo opened the forum with a welcome speech. Keynote speeches were delivered by Yang Weimin, Deputy Director of the Central Leading Group Office for Finance and Economics and Director of the Tsinghua China Development Planning Research Center, and Gu Shengzhu, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic建国 Party (CDJP). Other notable speakers included members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and experts from various fields. **Yang Weimin’s Address: Historical Patience and Sustainable Urbanization:** Yang Weimin emphasized the need for "historical patience" in the development of urbanization. He described urbanization as a marathon rather than a sprint, highlighting the importance of sustainability in financial and environmental aspects. Yang stressed that the quality of urbanization should be the primary focus, and the key challenges lie in addressing issues related to people, land, and funding. He advised against setting overly ambitious targets for urbanization rates and instead suggested that urbanization should follow natural economic trends and be managed with careful planning to ensure long-term health and sustainability. **Gu Shengzhu’s Insights: Six New Directions for New Urbanization:** Gu Shengzhu outlined six key aspects of new urbanization: 1. **New Direction:** Shifting the focus from land development to human-centered urbanization, with the goal of extending basic public services to all residents, not just those with local household registration (hukou). 2. **New Goal:** Moving from quantitative growth to qualitative improvement, ensuring that urbanization is not just about increasing the number of urban residents but also about enhancing their quality of life. 3. **New Mode:** Transitioning from government-led to market-led resource allocation, allowing the market to play a decisive role in the distribution of resources. 4. **New Method:** Adopting more intensive, low-carbon, and green development practices to reduce environmental impact. 5. **New Path:** Promoting both the development of urban clusters and smaller cities, and facilitating both internal and external population movements. 6. **New Drive:** Aligning urbanization with industrialization, informatization, and agricultural modernization to achieve integrated development and urban-rural harmony. Gu also proposed that to successfully implement new urbanization, eight配套 reforms are necessary: - Reforms in public services, urban financing, land use, household registration, population management, real estate management, taxation, and urban governance. - Special attention to ecological protection and the management of urban issues such as traffic congestion and pollution. **Stakeholder Perspectives:** Jia Kang, Director of the Institute of Fiscal Science at the Ministry of Finance, discussed the role of public finance in new urbanization. He suggested that fiscal departments should collaborate with other government agencies to optimize top-level planning, establish a framework for financial investment, and maximize the efficiency and sustainability of public finances. Jia emphasized the need to leverage private capital and market mechanisms to meet the substantial funding requirements of urbanization projects. Li Tie, Director of the National Development and Reform Commission's (NDRC) Center for Urban and Small Town Development, highlighted the institutional challenges of new urbanization. He noted that over-reliance on traditional industries has led to issues such as the need for hukou reform, land use reform, and financing reform. Li argued that these institutional problems are the most significant obstacles and will have long-lasting effects on urban development. **Additional Contributions:** Other speakers, including Li Shantong from the State Council Development Research Center, Meng Qian from the Fujian Development and Reform Commission, and professors from Tsinghua University's School of Architecture and Department of Construction Management, provided insights on regional development, local practices, land interests, the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, public service provision, and industrial development models. Each speaker contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of new urbanization and the strategies needed to overcome its challenges. **Background and Context:** The forum was organized in response to the "National New Urbanization Plan (2014-2020)," which was officially approved and issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in March 2014. This plan serves as a guiding document for the healthy development of urbanization across the country. The forum aimed to provide a platform for in-depth interpretation of the plan's strategic vision and to explore the opportunities and challenges it presents. **Conclusion:** The "High-Level Forum on New Urbanization and Sustainable Development" at Tsinghua University underscored the importance of a balanced and sustainable approach to urbanization. Key stakeholders emphasized the need for comprehensive reforms, market-driven resource allocation, and a focus on human-centered development. The forum provided valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners involved in China's urbanization efforts, highlighting the strategic importance of addressing institutional challenges and leveraging both public and private resources.
