On September 18, the Urban Renewal Forum was successfully held at Nankai University. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of Economics and Social Development and the Institute of Urban and Regional Economics at Nankai University, with the Tianjin Urban Economics Association serving as the co-host.

The forum, themed "Urban Renewal and High-Quality Economic Development," attracted experts and scholars from various institutions, including Tsinghua University, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Capital University of Economics and Business, and Tianjin Chengjian University.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Liu Binglian, Dean of the Institute of Economics and Social Development at Nankai University.

Former Vice Mayor of Tianjin, Wang Shuzu, delivered the welcoming address, emphasizing three key areas that Tianjin should focus on in its urban renewal efforts: establishing Tianjin as a leading shipping hub in northern China and internationally, vigorously promoting smart technologies, low-carbon economy, and the digital economy, and creating a favorable business environment to attract talents from both domestic and international markets. He also highlighted the importance of cultural exploration, leveraging Tianjin's local customs and modern history to build cultural confidence and stimulate tourism development.

Professor Liang Qi, Deputy Party Secretary of Nankai University, delivered a speech, stating that urban renewal is the primary model for city development in China at this stage and a crucial tool for promoting high-quality urban growth.

Zhou Mi, Director of the China Urban and Regional Economics Research Center at Nankai University, chaired the keynote speech session. Du Baodong, Deputy Director of the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design, Xu Jingquan, Deputy Director of the Planning and Design Department of the China Center for Urban and Small Town Reform and Development, and Jiang Manqi, Yingcai Professor at Nankai University, participated in the forum and delivered keynote presentations.

Zhang Xiaoyan, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Tianjin Municipal Government, chaired the roundtable discussion. Additionally, experts and scholars in attendance delivered reports and engaged in discussions on topics such as urban renewal and spatial governance, as well as urban renewal and high-quality development.

Our institute’s regional economics discipline holds a leading position nationwide. In recent years, while deepening theoretical research in urban and regional studies, we have also undertaken a series of forward-looking, strategic, and comprehensive research projects on major issues. The successful convening of this forum highlights our university’s leading role in the field of regional studies and is of great significance for maintaining our national standing in the discipline and enhancing its academic influence.