
Core Viewpoint - The recent Central Urban Work Conference marks a significant shift in China's urban development strategy, transitioning from rapid growth to stable development, emphasizing quality improvement and efficiency in existing urban areas [1][2]. Group 1: Urban Development Strategy - China's urbanization is moving from a phase of large-scale expansion to one focused on enhancing existing urban quality and efficiency [1][4]. - The conference highlights the importance of a human-centered approach in urban planning, construction, and management, reflecting a shift from prioritizing industrial development to focusing on human resources as the primary driver of urban growth [5][6]. Group 2: Role of Cities in Economic Development - Cities are identified as crucial spaces for the development of new productive forces driven by technological innovation, which is essential for economic growth [2][4]. - The conference emphasizes the need for competitive economic systems within cities to effectively engage in both domestic and international markets [2]. Group 3: Urban Planning and Management - The need for systematic changes in urban planning and management is underscored, with a focus on creating a networked structure of urban clusters and metropolitan areas [7][9]. - The conference calls for a differentiated approach to urbanization, recognizing that not all cities are suitable for manufacturing and that many should focus on service functions [9][10]. Group 4: Resilience and Sustainability - The conference addresses the importance of building resilient cities that can withstand climate change impacts, highlighting the need for integrating safety considerations into urban planning from the outset [11][12]. - A dual approach is proposed for enhancing urban resilience: utilizing natural solutions and improving engineering infrastructure to ensure cities can adapt to extreme weather events [14].