Advancing Sustainable Urban Development: The Launch of Urban Index of Shenzhen (UIS) Products
The recent "Forum on Global Urban Governance and Sustainable Development & Global Launch of Urban Index of Shenzhen (UIS) Products" took place in Shenzhen on July 28, 2026. The event, co-guided by the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and Bureau of Territorial Spatial Planning, Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China, aimed to introduce the Urban Index of Shenzhen (UIS) product suite to the global community. This index provides a scientific assessment framework for urban development, supporting high-quality and sustainable urban growth.
The Urban Index of Shenzhen (UIS) was developed by the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality. It utilizes a variety of authoritative data sources, including statistical yearbooks, remote sensing imagery, and international databases. The index evaluates cities based on six dimensions: Innovation, Livability, Aesthetics, Resilience, Humanism, and Intelligence, offering a comprehensive measurement of urban development quality. The product suite includes research reports, a monitoring bulletin, a bilingual website, and a WeChat account, facilitating research dissemination and knowledge sharing.
At its core, UIS prioritizes human well-being in urban development. Professor Zheng Yongnian from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) emphasized the importance of focusing on people's quality of life in urban planning. The launch of UIS aligns with China's shift towards high-quality development and improving the quality of cities to enhance residents' lives.
The forum, held as part of the APEC China Year, attracted participants from various countries and regions, including city administrators, international organizations, urban planning experts, and scholars. Discussions centered on global urban governance innovation, sustainable development goals, and the use of urban indices in policy-making. UIS, with its robust methodology and global perspective, is expected to be a valuable tool for mayors, urban planners, researchers, and citizens to understand urban development conditions and engage in urban governance.
In conclusion, the Urban Index of Shenzhen (UIS) offers a comprehensive assessment framework for urban development, emphasizing human well-being and supporting sustainable urban growth. The launch of UIS at the forum signifies a significant step towards enhancing the quality of cities and promoting global urban governance innovation.