Guangzhou launches Institute for Urban Innovation

Following the announcement at the Guangzhou Awards for Innovation in November 2012 that it would be launching a new institute for urban research, the city of Guangzhou today held the first conference session for its Institute of Urban Innovation.

“We are hopeful that through the awards and through the Institute for Urban Innovation that we can further share our experiences, learn from others and plan for a common future for cities the world over,” said Chen Jianhua, Mayor of Guangzhou during his opening address at the plenary session.

Zhang Ruoning representing the national body of China which drives city-to-city linkages, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that the Institute and awards offered a new platform for cooperation and exchanges between cities.

“We believe the Guangzhou awards will not only become a business card for Guangzhou diplomacy but also for local governments across China as well as being a business card for the promotion of the national image of China,” said Zhang.

The Charter for the Institute was introduced by the Secretary-General, Liu Baochun, Director General of Foreign Affairs for Guangzhou’s Municipal Government with the term of office for council members being four years. The President of the Institute will be Liang Guiquan, former President of the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences with Wan Qingliang, Party Secretary of CPC Guangzhou Committee, installed as Honorary President after his pioneering work in launching the awards and Institute.

The Institute will not only act as an advisory body to Guangzhou on its urban strategy but will also be positioned as a thought leader on urban development.

“This Institute will be built into an international body of members,” said Liang Guiquan, President of the Institute, “We will publish our own academic journal and promote the professional research of all members of the Institute. At the same time, we will hold regular meetings and seminars to discuss the academic as well as practical aspects of urban innovation.”

Mayor Chen then participated in a panel discussion which included Adolfo Guerrero, Head of the China Office for the Cities Development Initiative for Asia and Nicholas You, Adviser to the Guangzhou Institute and Chair of the Steering Committee of the World Urban Campaign, who moderated the panel.

A report on the panel discussion will feature in the September issue of Cities Today.  That issue will be made available in English and Chinese and downloadable as an app for tablets and iPad.