Core Viewpoint - The recent World Cities Day highlighted the importance of sustainable urban development, showcasing various initiatives and practices from China and around the world, emphasizing the theme of "cities making life better" [1] Group 1: Ideology - The concept of "People's City built by the people, for the people" establishes a new path for urban modernization in China, focusing on public spaces and community needs [2] - Cities like Shanghai prioritize resources for the public, addressing practical issues such as housing for delivery workers and enhancing public spaces [2] - Urban planning across China is increasingly centered on the actual needs of the people, ensuring livable and workable environments through collaborative governance [2] Group 2: Practice - The shift towards intrinsic development opens new avenues for building modern, people-centered cities, with examples from Chongqing, Fuzhou, and Nanjing demonstrating effective urban management and ecological restoration [3] - The transition from large-scale expansion to quality improvement in urban development necessitates a focus on innovation, livability, beauty, resilience, civilization, and intelligence [3] - The emphasis on people-oriented, efficient, and coordinated urban development is crucial for enhancing the quality of urban life [3] Group 3: Impact - The "15-minute community life circle" concept, first proposed in Shanghai, has gained international traction, influencing urban planning in cities like Paris and Milan [4] - China's approach to sustainable urban development has resonated globally, with initiatives like the Shanghai Award and the Shanghai Index gaining recognition and application in various countries [4] - The commitment to shared governance and community well-being reflects a historical continuity in the pursuit of ideal urban living, contributing to global urban civilization [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of high-quality urban development in China, advocating for a shift from superficial improvements to a deeper, more inclusive approach that prioritizes the needs of the people and sustainable practices. Group 1: Ideological Perspective - The concept of "People's City built by the People, for the People" establishes a new path for urban modernization in China, focusing on public spaces and community needs rather than commercial interests [2] - Various cities in China, such as Beijing and Guangzhou, are implementing urban planning that prioritizes the actual needs of the populace, enhancing livability and community engagement [2] Group 2: Practical Perspective - The shift towards intrinsic development is opening new avenues for building modern urban environments, with examples from cities like Chongqing and Fuzhou showcasing data-driven management and cultural preservation [3] - The focus is on transitioning from extensive growth to qualitative improvements, emphasizing innovation, livability, and resilience in urban development [3] Group 3: Impact Perspective - China's "15-minute community life circle" initiative has gained international recognition, influencing urban planning concepts in cities like Paris and Milan, demonstrating China's role in global urban sustainability [4] - The Shanghai Award and related initiatives highlight China's contributions to international urban development, showcasing a commitment to shared global responsibilities [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of high-quality urban development in China, advocating for a people-centered approach that prioritizes public welfare and sustainable practices in urban planning and governance [1][2][3][4]. Group 1: Urban Development Philosophy - The concept of "People's City built by the People, for the People" establishes a new path for urban modernization in China, focusing on public spaces and community needs [1]. - Cities like Shanghai are highlighted for their commitment to using resources for the benefit of the public, showcasing successful initiatives such as the construction of public activity spaces and addressing local issues [1]. Group 2: Practical Implementation - The article discusses the shift from extensive urban expansion to improving existing urban quality, emphasizing the need for intrinsic development that focuses on innovation, livability, beauty, resilience, civilization, and intelligence [3]. - Examples from cities like Chongqing, Fuzhou, and Nanjing illustrate how data-driven management, cultural preservation, and ecological restoration contribute to urban renewal and improved quality of life [3]. Group 3: International Influence - China's urban development strategies, such as the "15-minute community life circle," have gained international recognition, influencing urban planning concepts in cities like Paris and Milan [4]. - The Shanghai Award and related initiatives demonstrate China's commitment to providing international public goods and addressing urbanization challenges, reflecting the country's responsibility on the global stage [4].

Core Insights - The 2025 World Cities Day Global Conference has opened in Shanghai, showcasing the release of the 2025 version of the "Shanghai Manual" with 21 key cases from 11 countries, including two from Shanghai, aimed at providing global cities with experience and policy references [1][2] - The "Shanghai Award" focuses on incremental sustainable development and has been included in a central government document for the first time, enhancing its influence [2] - The award has recognized 10 cities over the past two years, representing a diverse range of developed and developing countries, highlighting their progress in sustainable development [3] Group 1 - The World Cities Day has evolved into a global platform for urban governance and development since its inception in 2014, with significant outcomes like the "Shanghai Manual" and "Shanghai Report" being released [1] - The "Shanghai Award" is a unique international accolade initiated by the UN and Shanghai Municipal Government, emphasizing cities' sustainable development rather than their existing wealth [2] - The award's impact is being expanded through initiatives like "seed projects" in awarded cities to enhance their influence and recognition [3] Group 2 - The "15-minute community life circle" concept, proposed by Shanghai in 2014, is gaining global traction, with cities like Paris and Milan adopting similar frameworks [5] - Shanghai's meteorological department has developed the MAZU early warning system, which will be promoted at the global main venue of World Cities Day [4] - Shanghai's municipal engineering design institute has gained international recognition through participation in World Cities Day, showcasing Chinese technical standards and practices globally [4][5]

Core Insights - The article discusses the development of "People's Square" in Shanghai as a response to the increasing demand for community services within limited urban space, emphasizing the importance of creating one-stop service centers for residents [1][2][3] Group 1: People's Square Concept - "People's Square" serves as a one-stop service center that caters to diverse community needs, providing activities and services such as health care, dining, and job placement [2][3] - The initiative is part of Shanghai's "15-minute community life circle" plan, with over 100 People's Squares established and an additional 30 planned for the second half of 2023 [1][2] - The concept has evolved from a top-down approach to a community-driven model, where residents actively participate in the planning and execution of services [3][8] Group 2: Space Utilization and Innovation - The development of People's Squares primarily involves repurposing existing spaces rather than constructing new buildings, showcasing innovative urban planning [4][5] - Various types of People's Squares have emerged, including integrated models that maximize space utilization and community-centric designs that cater to local needs [6][7] - The initiative has led to significant community engagement, with thousands of activities conducted and high participation rates from residents [7] Group 3: Sustainable Operations and Community Involvement - Sustainable operation of People's Squares relies on community involvement, with local feedback shaping service offerings and facility management [8] - The introduction of corporate partnerships, such as with food service providers, enhances the quality and affordability of services offered in these community centers [8] - Digital technology is being integrated into the People's Square model, with initiatives like the "online People's Square" allowing residents to access services and activities through digital platforms [9]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of community-based public reading spaces, exemplified by "拓荒书屋" (Tuo Huang Book House), which serves as a cultural and spiritual haven for residents, emphasizing the importance of physical books and genuine human connections in a digital age [1][2][3]. Group 1: Community Impact - "拓荒书屋" has been a free reading space since 1998, initiated by Qian Jiang, who rescued valuable books from being discarded, and continued by his sister Qian Wei after his passing in 2023 [1]. - The book house represents a unique cultural essence within the urban landscape, acting as a "capillary" that nourishes the spiritual lives of citizens [2]. - Similar initiatives across various cities, such as "二楼南书房" in Nanjing and "六圈公益书屋" in Hangzhou, illustrate a growing trend of community-focused reading spaces that enrich local culture [3]. Group 2: Cultural Infrastructure - The new 2025 version of the "National Spatial Planning Urban Health Assessment Regulations" emphasizes the importance of cultural facilities within a "15-minute community living circle," highlighting the need for accessible cultural services [3]. - Shenzhen, known as the "City of Thousand Libraries," boasts a network of 1,125 service points and over 300 new spaces, integrating cultural services into everyday life [3]. - The transformation of community spaces, such as the "27院儿" in Beijing into cultural hubs, demonstrates the necessity of tailoring cultural content to meet local needs, ensuring sustained engagement from residents [4].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the development of community meal services for the elderly in Shanghai's Putuo District, emphasizing the collaboration between the government, private enterprises, and social organizations to enhance the quality and accessibility of these services [1][2]. Group 1: Community Meal Services - Putuo District has the highest proportion of elderly population among Shanghai's central districts, with 384,600 registered elderly residents, accounting for over 40% of the district's population by the end of 2024 [1]. - The district has established 115 community elderly meal service locations, with a daily meal capacity of 21,000 servings, covering all 10 sub-districts [1]. - Many elderly meal service locations adopt a public-private partnership model, involving catering institutions in their operations and utilizing various resources to expand meal service offerings [1]. Group 2: Digital Integration and Service Improvement - A "Senior Meal" app allows elderly individuals or their relatives to order meals from nearby community kitchens, streamlining the ordering process [2]. - The digital platform provides real-time data on meal service performance, enabling community kitchens to improve their offerings based on popularity and demand [2]. - The operational model combines government subsidies, corporate discounts, and charitable contributions to create a sustainable ecosystem for elderly meal services, ensuring that more elderly individuals can benefit from these services [2].