1. Time and Location

Between 03 and 06, November, 2008 the Fourth Session of the World Urban Forum, hosted by the UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Construction, the People’s Republic of China and undertaken by Nanjing Municipal Government, will be held at the Nanjing International Exhibition Center.

2. Theme: Harmonious Urbanization

The theme is made up of six sub-themes: 

Socially harmonious cities 

Equity

Inclusiveness

Income

Poverty reduction

Land and social housing

Economically harmonious cities  

Infrastructure development

Financing urban development

Foreign direct investment

Urban informal economy

Environmentally harmonious cities  

Climate change

Energy and resources saving

Biodiversity

Water, sanitation, transport

Green buildings and cities

Spatially harmonious cities  

Urban planning

Urban and rural linkage

Integrated regional development

Mixed landuse

Historically harmonious cities

Heritage

Culture

Architecture

Urban renewal

Harmonious Cities for all age groups

Youth

Aging population

Internet and ICT

Education and health care

Sports and music

Theme connotation:

“Harmony” is the basic element of Chinese Philosophy. The concept of “harmony” has been rooted in the Epistemology and of Chinese people. During decades of reform and opening up, high-speed development of China’s economy as well as great social transformation enabled by rapid urbanization has brought some social problems and contradictions. Thus, the policy makers and city managers are facing unprecedented challenges. During the grand trends of globalization and urbanization, the problem of how to deal with the relationship of harmony and development should be seriously researched and solved. The building of a harmonious society is not only the development goal of China, but it has also become a topic worth being explored in depth in the international community. The concept of “harmonious urban development” is with the overall development trend of China and the whole world. The idea of “Harmony, Justice and Sustainable development” can be reflected in the last three forums. Now since the fourth forum is to be held in China, the theme should reflect China’s present goal of building a harmonious society. Through discussions at the top-rank international forum and intensive study of present urban problems, it is hoped to clarify the implications of “harmonious society”, and find ways to achieve the goal.