2020 has been an extraordinary year. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, leaving a deep imprint in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. By December 23rd, the total number of new cases in the world has exceeded 78 million, still without a clear sign of overall containment. What’s more, experts have stressed that it is necessary to prepare for long-term coexistence with the virus. In a time when information exchange and transportation mobility are extremely convenient and the inter-dependence between human beings reaches an unprecedented level, the spreading risks of non-traditional security threats such as major infectious diseases has also reached an unparalleled speed and scope, regardless of country, race or degree of development. This largely greatly increases the uncertainty in the world and becomes a great challenge facing mankind together. Meanwhile, the urge to restore economic growth will further push up carbon emissions and exacerbate the challenges of the climate crisis. Encountering this sudden major test, in addition to fighting the virus against the clock, we also need to gather wisdom and strength from all aspects, and promote global cooperation and mutual support, so as to think quickly in the crisis, make firm progress in reflection, and grasp the future in action.
As the world enters the urban era, the higher spatial density of population and agglomeration of industry accelerates the spread of the virus. However, it is also worth noting that advanced ideas and multiple resources are also converging in cities, and more innovative strategies and solutions will be produced in cities. The importance of the city has de facto been pushed to a new high, and the sustainable development of the city is our common and urgent goal. Every major crisis in human history has constantly proved and reminded us that rapidly reducing negative impacts, active adaptation, recovery, prediction and changes are key. It requires us to act decisively at the moment, based on our imagination of the future, so as to turn a crisis into opportunities. The UN Habitat 2020-2023 Strategic Plan further emphasises the need to achieve key changes in the new context, and pave the way towards shared prosperity, better quality of life, low-carbon development and resilient development.
The University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (UES) of the Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University focuses on the environmental, economic, social and health changes brought about by urbanisation, and explores a more intelligent, sustainable and high-quality development paradigm. Since February 2020, it has invited 12 international scholars, experts from international organisations and urban management practitioners in Asia, Europe and America to establish dialogues, share views and explore paths in the form of questions and answers, which have been released to the world via online platforms in both English and Chinese throughout the year. Among these 11 dialogues (in English) have been compiled , covering comprehensive topics related to epidemic management, regional planning, urban resilience, healthy cities, community governance, smart development, economic recovery, land and housing, urban finance and so on. Incorporating varied fields such as the urban planning, spatial design, governance approaches and technological breakthroughs, the future development of the cities is conceived in a diversified and forward-looking manner. Facing the common destiny and challenges of mankind, and combining both international vision and local depth, this global expert dialogue series is aimed to collide with new thinking and contribute to the development of healthy, liveable and sustainable cities.
Dr Yunqing Xu
Director, University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies
Preface
2020 has been an extraordinary year. The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the world, leaving a deep imprint in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people. By December 23rd, the total number of new cases in the world has exceeded 78 million, still without a clear sign of overall containment. What’s more, experts have stressed that it is necessary to prepare for long-term coexistence with the virus. In a time when information exchange and transportation mobility are extremely convenient and the inter-dependence between human beings reaches an unprecedented level, the spreading risks of non-traditional security threats such as major infectious diseases has also reached an unparalleled speed and scope, regardless of country, race or degree of development. This largely greatly increases the uncertainty in the world and becomes a great challenge facing mankind together. Meanwhile, the urge to restore economic growth will further push up carbon emissions and exacerbate the challenges of the climate crisis. Encountering this sudden major test, in addition to fighting the virus against the clock, we also need to gather wisdom and strength from all aspects, and promote global cooperation and mutual support, so as to think quickly in the crisis, make firm progress in reflection, and grasp the future in action.
As the world enters the urban era, the higher spatial density of population and agglomeration of industry accelerates the spread of the virus. However, it is also worth noting that advanced ideas and multiple resources are also converging in cities, and more innovative strategies and solutions will be produced in cities. The importance of the city has de facto been pushed to a new high, and the sustainable development of the city is our common and urgent goal. Every major crisis in human history has constantly proved and reminded us that rapidly reducing negative impacts, active adaptation, recovery, prediction and changes are key. It requires us to act decisively at the moment, based on our imagination of the future, so as to turn a crisis into opportunities. The UN Habitat 2020-2023 Strategic Plan further emphasises the need to achieve key changes in the new context, and pave the way towards shared prosperity, better quality of life, low-carbon development and resilient development.
The University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies (UES) of the Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University focuses on the environmental, economic, social and health changes brought about by urbanisation, and explores a more intelligent, sustainable and high-quality development paradigm. Since February 2020, it has invited 12 international scholars, experts from international organisations and urban management practitioners in Asia, Europe and America to establish dialogues, share views and explore paths in the form of questions and answers, which have been released to the world via online platforms in both English and Chinese throughout the year. Among these 11 dialogues (in English) have been compiled , covering comprehensive topics related to epidemic management, regional planning, urban resilience, healthy cities, community governance, smart development, economic recovery, land and housing, urban finance and so on. Incorporating varied fields such as the urban planning, spatial design, governance approaches and technological breakthroughs, the future development of the cities is conceived in a diversified and forward-looking manner. Facing the common destiny and challenges of mankind, and combining both international vision and local depth, this global expert dialogue series is aimed to collide with new thinking and contribute to the development of healthy, liveable and sustainable cities.
Dr Yunqing Xu
Director, University Research Centre for Urban and Environmental Studies
2020.12.23