Core Insights - The construction of a modern metropolitan area in the Yangtze River Delta is a priority for the "14th Five-Year Plan" and aims to enhance regional growth and global competitiveness [1][5] Group 1: Planning and Legislation - Effective planning is essential for building consensus and guiding actions within the metropolitan area, as seen in successful international examples like the Tokyo metropolitan area's planning initiated in 1958 [2] - Legislative measures are crucial for ensuring unified actions across regions, as demonstrated by France's Urban Planning Code and Japan's Capital Development Act, which provide legal frameworks for regional planning [2] Group 2: Mechanisms and Focus Areas - Establishing mechanisms for collaborative governance is necessary to avoid fragmentation and ensure continuous efforts in metropolitan development, with examples including the Geneva Lake Protection Committee and the New London Architecture Association [3] - Prioritizing key issues such as infrastructure, ecological protection, and public services is vital for achieving breakthroughs in metropolitan area development [3] Group 3: Current Challenges - The Yangtze River Delta metropolitan area has a significant scale but needs to enhance its radiating capabilities, as evidenced by Shanghai's GDP per capita being only 25% of New York's and 50% of Tokyo's [5][6] - While spatial structures are present, the functional networks require improvement, particularly in connectivity between key nodes and surrounding cities [5][6] - The existing planning guidance lacks effective transmission systems, necessitating higher-level empowerment for successful implementation [6] - Although there is a framework for mechanisms, collaborative efforts need to be strengthened, particularly through legislative support [6] Group 4: Action Plan - The action plan emphasizes establishing a multi-level work promotion mechanism, with specific responsibilities assigned to various committees and groups to enhance coordination and support for metropolitan development [7] - The plan outlines a three-year action cycle with annual evaluations and a comprehensive assessment every three years to ensure accountability and progress [7]