In the beginning of this year, Cloud River Urban Research Institute released the China Integrated City Index 2019, which ranks 297 Chinese cities at the prefecture level and above based on a comprehensive evaluation, as well as the top 100 cities in the categories of the environment, society and economy. Renowned scholars such as Zhao Qizheng, Yang Weimin, Zhou Qiren, Qiu Xiaohua, Du Ping, and Ming Xiaodong all have given a positive feedback on the Index in their articles, as well as their outlook on and expectations of the future development of Chinese cities. 

Zhao Qizheng, dean of the School of Journalism at the Renmin University of China, and former minister of the State Council Information Office of China

I think the Index provides a new concept, a new discourse and a new framework for understanding and managing cities. I believe this book is a helpful reference book for Chinese mayors and their assistants. In the 1990s, when I was vice mayor of Shanghai, and the director and Party secretary of Pudong New Area, I was responsible for the development and construction of the new area. It was a pity that we didn’t have such a good reference book at that time. 

Many indicators are needed to describe a man’s growth. A medical check-up entails dozens of indicators. Thirty years ago, we and even doctors had no idea of the health indicators that are common today. In such a case, how can we manage our body in a science-based way? Thirty years ago, Chinese people had an average life expectancy of less than 70 years. Now, the figure has approached 80, because health indicators have come into play. 

In the same vein, we paid inadequate attention to what indicators can be used to describe the conditions of cities. We had outlined the plan of urban development by simply taking politics, economy, culture and other macro aspects into account. That was a very rough and crude approach. Now, if we need to plan and manage cities in an accurate way, we have to have a clear concept and research of cities, and delve into the analysis supported by a comprehensive index system. Therefore, Chinese cities can be built on the concept and the rational and comprehensive framework provided by the China Integrated City Index. A sophisticated data analysis and an in-depth research will come up with a recipe for “governance.” That is the call of the times.

Yang Weimin, member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, and former deputy director of the office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs of China

The Index, jointly developed by the Development Planning Department of the National Development and Reform Commission and the Cloud River Urban Research Institute, is the most scientific, international and practical index concerning the development of Chinese cities I have ever seen. It is a comprehensive “health check-up report” for Chinese cities. Every city evaluated by the Index can find its “diseases” and get a treatment plan. The “health check-up report,” released on an annual basis, will add more indicators, identify new situations and spot new problems. 

Urbanization provides enduring impetus to China’s economic and social development, and China’s urbanization has a long way to go. At the same time, China’s economy has transformed to the phase of high-quality development. Urbanization and high-quality development are converged. Cities are main players in economic development, and also spatial carriers of high-quality development. China’s high-quality development as a whole hinges on high-quality development of Chinese cities.

The China Integrated City Index provides an evaluation of urban development from the environmental, social and economic perspectives, and embodies the idea of spatial balance. That is why I say it is a truly comprehensive and genuine evaluation of development. Only in this way will the evaluation of urban development be scientific and conducive to guiding the development of cities in a more comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable manner.

China’s urban development must adhere to the philosophy of ecological civilization, promote green development, circular development and low-carbon development, and minimize the interference with and damage to the nature, while promoting the economical and intensive utilization of resources including land, water and energy. Much attention should be paid to eco-safety, and the ratio of green and ecological spaces, such as forests, lakes and wetlands, should be increased, in order to enhance the water conservation capacity and environmental capacity. The quality of environment should be improved, by reducing emissions of major pollutants, controlling over the intensity of development, and increasing the capability to withstand and mitigate natural disasters. The China Integrated City Index provides a number of implementable green indicators. All cities should check for their gaps from the indicators and find out the areas to work on for urban development. In this regard, the China Integrated City Index is not only an evaluation, but also points out the direction for future development.

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