The 4th International Conference on Urban and Rural Development and Planning in Water Network Areas Held in Suzhou

Photographed by the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology

On December 14, the 4th International Conference on Urban and Rural Development and Planning in Water Network Areas was inaugurated at the Suzhou Convention Center. Themed "Charming Urban and Rural Area: Tradition and Innovation in the Water Network Areas," the conference brought together over four hundred top scholars and experts from China, Germany, the UK, and other countries, along with representatives from government agencies, enterprises, and universities to discuss issues related to urban and rural development and planning in water network areas.

At the opening ceremony, Shi Nan, Executive Deputy Chairman of the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC), highlighted that changes in the era have led to large-scale, centralized urban construction and hydraulic engineering facilities reshaping the water environment, forming an influence logic of "city-human-water." Therefore, how to properly handle the relationship between water and urban-rural areas, solve problems brought by urbanization development, and reconstruct harmonious human-water relationships became a crucial research topic.

Suzhou, a city constructed on waterways, has its culture deeply embedded within its aquatic environment. The historical development of Suzhou has accumulated rich wisdom and experience in creating spaces where cities and water coexist harmoniously.

Gu Juping, President of Suzhou University of Science and Technology, stated that the conference aimed to explore the deep integration of traditional wisdom and modern technology, highlighting the charm and vitality of urban and rural development planning in water network areas, contributing to the construction of a beautiful China.

During the event, influential scholars and experts, including as Wu Zhiqiang, Vice President of the China Institute for Reform and Development Wang Zhan, and German National Academy of Engineering Academician Bernhard Müller gave presentations on topics including intelligent urban water planning, the economy and culture of water towns in Jiangnan, and green urban resilience in water network regions. Wang Zhan highlighted the intertwined relationship between Jiangnan culture and water town economies, noting that the foundation of Jiangnan culture lies in its water town economy while the cultural connotations significantly influence regional economic development models. Bernhard Müller discussed the relationship between green cities and the enhancement of resilience in water network areas, emphasizing the need for international standards, government support, policy guidance, technological innovation collaboration, and multi-party participation to promote urban development model transitions and sustainable development in water network areas.

The conference lasted for two days. On December 15, four parallel sessions and a Youth Forum were held to further explore topics such as the culture and value, protection and renewal, ecology and safety, and intelligence and innovation in charming urban-rural areas of water network regions. Thirty-two renowned scholars delivered academic reports, and seventeen young scholars presented their findings for discussion. Following the discussions, the scholars conducted an academic tour of the ancient water towns.

The International Conference on Urban and Rural Development and Planning in Water Network Areas is a biennial series organized jointly by the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) and Suzhou University of Science and Technology. It has become one of the key regional activities of the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC).

Edited by Jiangyu Chen with reference to https://app.suzhou-news.cn/news/300691327