On the afternoon of September 16, 2022, the Design-Enabled Urban Construction Forum was successfully held at the Summit Forum Zone of the World Design Cities Conference in the China Shipbuilding Pavilion. Centered on the theme "The Invisible City, The Visible Excellence", this sub-forum of the inaugural World Design Cities Conference (WDCC)—hosted by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government—garnered significant attention from relevant authorities and collaborative entities in urban design and construction. It will advance industry exchanges and cooperation, spotlight cutting-edge developments, consolidate design philosophies, mobilize development resources, enhance Shanghai's urban design capabilities and brand influence, and enrich the connotation of Shanghai as a "City of Design".
The forum was jointly hosted by Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd. (SMEDI) and Shanghai Promotion Center for City of Design, with co-organization support from Nikken Sekkei Ltd., CBRE (Shanghai) Management Consulting Co., Ltd., Shanghai Construction Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., and China Power Engineering Consulting Group East China Electric Power Design Institute Co., Ltd.
Addresses by Distinguished Guests and Leaders
Opening remarks were delivered by Zhang Ying (Deputy Director, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization), Zhu Jianhao (Inspector-General Level I, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development), and Lei Ting (President, SMEDI). Principal representatives attended from Xi'an Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Planning, Xi'an Planning Institute, China Xiongan Group Infrastructure Construction Co., Ltd., Ningbo Urban Transportation Construction Co., Ltd., Jiaxing Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau, Fuzhou Zuohai Holding Group Co., Ltd., and Fuzhou Urban Construction Investment Group Co., Ltd.
Ms. Zhang Ying stated that the Commission would implement municipal directives by intensifying multi-dimensional integration, innovation-driven leadership, and tri-chain synergy; prioritizing high-caliber ecological-industrial linkages; elevating design branding excellence; and enhancing urban living standards to advance Shanghai's global "City of Designl" agenda.
Zhu Jianhao emphasized leveraging design capabilities for critical livelihood projects, integrating design innovation into megacity refined governance ecosystems, and expanding professional design talent pools.
Mr. Lei Ting stated:"As a 'national flagship institution' in the survey and design industry and a 'vanguard' in China's urban design sector, SMEDI has always been a key builder and participant in Shanghai's 'City of Design' initiative. We adhere to innovative design and craftsmanship spirit, striving to create visible excellence and unforgettable experiences for cities.
We are committed to building an exceptional people-centered city, bringing outstanding designs 'into the daily lives of ordinary citizens'. With 'embroidery-like precision' in every design, we integrate design holistically into the city's industrial development, spatial environment, public services, and residents' lives, achieving visible high-quality and sustainable development.
We are dedicated to pioneering design concepts, consistently prioritizing forward-thinking ideas. With innovation ingrained in our DNA, we closely follow contemporary trends, development priorities, and public needs. We persistently pursue cutting-edge design philosophies, advanced methodologies, and exceptional quality, fully leveraging our role as the 'leading force' in technological innovation to advance Shanghai's goal of becoming a 'pioneer in scientific development'.
We devote ourselves to superior engineering quality, adhering to the height of a 'national flagship', the depth of innovation, and the precision of craftsmanship. We focus on creating livelihood projects, extending Shanghai's advanced concepts and design standards nationwide. The premium SMEDI brand image grows increasingly 'radiant' in the national market."
Sharing on Cutting-edge Concepts and Development Trends
Eleven specialists delivered keynote speeches, including:
- Zhong Lv, Chief Landscape Engineer, Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd. (SMEDI)
- Yasutaka Nishida, Executive Director, Nikken Sekkei Ltd.
- Xu Jiajiong, Deputy Chief Engineer, SMEDI
- Wang Yanming, Deputy Chief Engineer, SMEDI
- Wang Jian, Deputy Chief Engineer of Second Design Institute, SMEDI
- Liu Yi, Chief Underground Space Engineer, SMEDI
- Lu Tao, Director, Strategic Advisory Department China, CBRE China
- Li Xin, Chief Engineer, Shanghai Construction Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd.
- Zhang Xin, Deputy Chief Engineer, SMEDI
- Ye Yongjian, Deputy General Manager & Chief Engineer, East China Electric Power Design Institute
- Cen Min, Planning Director of Master Planning Division, Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Research Institute
The speakers addressed topics including "invisible" urban municipal facilities such as water supply and drainage systems, underground roads, utility tunnels, and waste treatment; the refinement, intelligence, digitalization, and green transformation of urban design; and the full-lifecycle operation and management of cities, freely discussing cutting-edge concepts and development trends in municipal design, striving to promote high-standard, high-quality, and sustainable development of the industry, practicing the people-centered city concept, creating visible excellent cities and better lives, and serving the construction of Shanghai as a modern socialist international metropolis with global influence.
"Design transcends boundaries and thrives through integration. "
SMEDI remains committed to deepening cooperation with project owners and industry partners across regions. By establishing and participating in regional/professional/forward-looking platforms, we facilitate knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and complementary advantages, ultimately achieving win-win collaboration and mutual development.
This forum serves as a stage for innovating ideas and best practices—gathering talents through conferences, invigorating industries through exchanges, and promoting production through cooperation. It cultivates the "blossom of cooperation" throughout the the entire industrial chain and full lifecycle of survey and design, pooling expertise to jointly advance Shanghai’s mission as a world-class UNESCO Creative City of Design, while concretely supporting the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.