On April 14th, the 2024 Academic Annual Conference of the Regional Sustainable Development Professional Committee of the China Regional Science Association was held at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). More than 300 experts and scholars from over 30 universities, research institutes, and journal circles nationwide attended the conference, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of regional sustainable development, and exploring the pathways to achieve harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature in modernization.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Hu Shou-geng, Dean of the School of Public Administration at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan). Tang Zhongyang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Yang Kaizhong, President of the China Regional Science Association, and Liu Binglian, Chairman of the China Regional Science Association, delivered speeches at the conference.
During the keynote speech session, Professor Yang Kaizhong from the University of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences discussed the basic theories and scientific issues such as what constitutes harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in modernization, and how to reveal the human-driven factors of environmental change. He pointed out that achieving green and sustainable development in China should involve "six concerted efforts," namely coordinated efforts in carbon reduction, pollution reduction, afforestation, conservation, intensification, and growth.
Professor Liu Binglian from Nankai University proposed the basic path for the high-quality development of urban agglomerations through analyses on the role and development laws of urban agglomerations, experiences from the development of world urban agglomerations, and the construction of urban agglomerations tailored for Chinese-style modernization.
Professor Ding Huanfeng from South China University of Technology proposed an analysis framework for spatial location selection of labor force based on the problem of innovative geographical pattern, exploring the important issue of how the pattern of innovative elements affects the spatial pattern of innovation.
Professor Zhang Xiaoling from the University of Hong Kong emphasized that sustainable development is both a goal and a process. She discussed the importance of scientifically setting sustainable development goals and achieving the implementation of sustainable development, highlighting the future direction of expanding interdisciplinary sustainable development disciplines.
Professor Wu Yuzhe from Zhejiang University pointed out the significant changes in the supply and demand relationship of commercial housing in China. He emphasized the urgent need for innovative institutional design to establish a rational housing supply system tailored for Chinese-style modernization, suggesting that property tax, with its flexibility and gradual implementation under the premise of social equity, could become a favorable tool for revitalizing the real estate economy in the future.
Professor Wu Dianting from Beijing Normal University discussed the necessity of establishing Chinese regional economics, compared Chinese and foreign regional economics, and explored key issues in Chinese regional economics. He emphasized that the construction of Chinese regional economics should be guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on people-centered development, innovation, and green development.
Professor Sun Bindong from East China Normal University summarized and shared insights on urban development stages, development models, and research methods from the perspectives of theory, application, critique, and development of urban life cycle. He provided guidance for future research directions on urban life cycle based on foundational theory, application development, and case analysis logic.
Professor Zhang Daojun from China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) proposed new ideas and methods for ecological problem diagnosis, evaluation, and governance by integrating spatial proximity and habitat similarity to accurately match reference samples for ecological restoration.
The academic annual meeting also featured five sub-forums: "Sustainable Development and Social Welfare," "Green and Low-carbon Development and Regional Sustainable Development," "Regional Sustainable Development and Spatial Governance," "Regional Collaboration and Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals," and "Rural and Agricultural Sustainable Development." Professors and students from 19 institutions including East China Normal University, Nanjing University, and Wuhan University shared their research progress.
