城市中国的历史转向 | 经观社论

Core Insights - The central urban work conference has redefined China's urban strategy, indicating a shift from rapid urbanization to stable development, focusing on quality improvement and efficiency in existing urban areas [1] - China's urbanization has seen the urbanization rate of the permanent population rise from 53.1% in 2012 to 67% in 2024, with urban population increasing from 720 million to 940 million, highlighting a new economic landscape [1] - The conference emphasizes a transition in urban development philosophy, prioritizing human-centered approaches, efficient resource use, distinctive development, governance investment, and coordinated efforts [2] Urban Development Strategy - The new urban development framework stresses the importance of moving from superficial growth to substantive, quality-driven development, necessitating systemic adjustments in urban planning and policies [2] - As urban population growth stabilizes, there will be a concentration of people in urban clusters, leading to some cities experiencing population decline, which poses challenges for urban governance [2] - Current economic and population policies in many cities are often contradictory, with a need to address the lack of urban residency for a significant portion of the urban population, which limits access to public services [2] Demographic Trends - Under the pressures of aging and declining birth rates, cities are increasingly competing to attract highly educated young individuals, who are now more selective in their city choices based on livability and quality of life [3] - The ongoing process of urbanization for migrant workers continues, with aspirations for better living conditions driving the demand for innovative, livable, and resilient urban environments [3]