Chongqing — Southwest China's Chongqing has unveiled a five-year plan to modernize megacity governance, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and proactive risk management to address the complex challenges of managing a large urban area.
The 15th Five-Year Plan for Modern Megacity Governance in Chongqing is the first provincial-level plan in China dedicated specifically to modernizing megacity governance, Xiao Qinghua, director of the Chongqing Municipal Urban Management Bureau, said at a press conference on September 18.
Aerial view of cherry blossoms in full bloom at Chongqing Garden Expo Park. (Photo/Chongqing Urban Management Bureau)
Covering 2026 to 2030, the plan sets 15 major targets and outlines 26 key tasks across 11 areas. It aims to develop a new model of megacity governance that reflects Chongqing's unique characteristics, including its large rural population, mountainous terrain, and reservoir areas.
A major priority of the plan is to shift urban management from a reactive approach to one focused on early detection and prevention. By applying big data, AI and the Internet of Things, Chongqing aims to identify potential risks at an earlier stage and address problems before they escalate into emergencies.
To support this goal, the city will establish a comprehensive risk management system that classifies and tracks potential hazards by type, severity, location, and timing. By 2030, Chongqing aims to achieve a 95% rate of closed-loop risk resolution and ensure that over 95% of meteorological disaster risks are effectively monitored.
Digital transformation will serve as a key driver of the city's governance upgrade. By 2030, the city aims to achieve digital management for 95% of municipal infrastructure, develop 150 AI-powered integrated governance scenarios, establish 20 industry-specific AI models, and deploy more than 200 intelligent agents. Recognition accuracy in key application scenarios is expected to exceed 97%.
The plan envisions AI becoming a practical tool for frontline governance, with data, algorithms, and computing power supporting more precise and efficient urban management.
AI-powered applications will be expanded in areas such as building fire safety, flood control, disaster response, pollution prevention, and traffic management, helping Chongqing build a comprehensive emergency management system and address major urban challenges, including traffic congestion, parking difficulties, and environmental pollution.