Chongqing - Stephan Rau, Principal Urban Development Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), first visited Chongqing in 1991 and was struck by its dramatic topography. Over 30 years later, he said at a forum on October 28 that this same landscape now underpins Chongqing’s resilience to extreme weather.

Stephan Rau, Principal Urban Development Specialist at the Asian Development Bank. (Photo/Asian Development Bank)

Rau described Chongqing's complex terrain, defined by its steep hills and two major rivers, the Yangtze and the Jialing, as both a challenge and a blessing. He noted that the city's polycentric urban structure, with clusters of high-density areas separated by natural barriers, is a successful adaptation to its landscape. 

"Urban areas must be designed for people first- walkers and cyclists before cars," Rau said, stressing that resilient cities must integrate climate adaptation, energy efficiency, and green mobility.

Rau pointed out that green spaces can lower temperatures during Chongqing's hot summers and improve air quality through natural ventilation. He explained that the sponge city model, in which parks and wetlands retain rainwater to reduce flood risks, has become a cornerstone of China's approach to climate resilience.

He also emphasized the importance of digital governance in managing modern cities. Hangzhou’s City Brain, he noted, has boosted average traffic speeds by 15% and improved emergency response efficiency by 50%. Likewise, Fuzhou’s integrated flood-control system applies real-time rainfall forecasting and automated drainage, showing how AI and big data can strengthen urban safety and efficiency.

With 31.9 million residents and a 2024 GDP of 3.2 trillion yuan, Chongqing is developing smart and green industries from new energy vehicles to digital manufacturing. Experts said its ability to turn geographic challenges into strengths makes it a global model for resilient urban development.

ADB: China leads $408B urban renewal drive

At the forum, Wen Linfeng, Secretary of the Center of Science and Technology & Industrialization Development under the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, said urban renewal has become a key strategy for promoting high-quality city development. 

From 2019 to 2024, China renovated 280,000 old residential communities, improving living conditions for over 120 million people, according to the State Council.

As the ministry’s technology support center, it focuses on low-carbon architecture, smart construction, and urban green transformation. Going forward, it will prioritize building a national innovation database, strengthening local government capacity, and expanding international cooperation.

Zhou Aiming, Deputy Chief Representative of the ADB in China, highlighted China's large-scale investment in urban renewal. In 2024 alone, more than 60,000 new projects were launched, totaling 2.9 trillion yuan (about 408 billion U.S. dollars). 

Zhou said that many Asian cities still follow outdated urban layouts dominated by wide roads and large blocks designed primarily for automobiles. He called for a transition toward compact, efficient, and pedestrian-friendly urban forms supported by interconnected green spaces that both enhance biodiversity and social inclusion. 

According to Zhou, stronger policy coordination, clear technical standards, and broader private-sector participation are essential to scale up such efforts.

The Urban Rehabilitation and Green Resilient Sustainable Development Forum is a key event of the 2025 World Cities Day China Observance in Chongqing, gathering experts and officials from around the world to discuss how cities can become smarter, greener, and more adaptable. 

(Wei Zelin, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)