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China’s urban future debated

04 July 2007

Planning experts from China and around the world met in Cardiff to discuss the rapid pace of Chinese urbanisation.

Some 145 guests were welcomed to the conference by the Welsh Assembly Government First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who spoke of the close links between Wales and China, and the parallels in the industrialisation of both nations.

The event, the International Conference on China’s Urban Transition and City Planning, was held by the Urban China Research Centre in the School of City and Regional Planning.

Delegates included members of the China Academy of Urban Planning, which was recently advised by the School in drawing up the China National Spatial Plan for approval by central government. The conference also attracted visitors from Europe, the USA, Australia, India and South Korea.

The conference was jointly organised with the Urban Planning Society of China and sponsored by the Leverhulme Trust. Keynote lectures dealt with the latest wave of urbanisation in China and with access to housing. Delegates were also taken on a tour of some major development sites in South Wales.

Event organiser Professor Fulong Wu said: "The aim of the event was to examine the impact of China’s urban growth on the economy, society and environment and how city planners can respond to that. The conference achieved that aim with some very strong presentations, and also reinforced the links between the School and leading urban planners in China."

The School of City and Regional Planning’s website has now been revamped as part of the University’s ongoing programme of improvement to web content and design. The new website can be visited at: www.cardiff.ac.uk/cplan/