Scholars Gathered in Wuhan to Discuss the New Pathways for Human Settlements Development—2025 Wuhan International Seminar on Human Settlements Development Successfully Held

Wuhan, 7-8 November— The "2025 Wuhan International Seminar on Human Settlements Development," co-organized by UN-Habitat and the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Urban-Rural Development, and undertaken by the Wuhan Planning and Design Institute (Wuhan Transportation Development Strategy Research Institute) (WPDI), was successfully held in Wuhan. Centered on the two themes of "Livable Districts" and "International Wetland City," the Seminar comprised three major international forums, including the International Crossover Summit on Human Settlements Development, the International Symposium on Livable Cities in Asia-Pacific, and the International Forum on Wetland Governance. All three events served as flagship programmes for Wuhan's 2025 City of Design.

On the afternoon of 7th November, the International Crossover Summit on Human Settlements Development, themed "Multidimensional Symbiosis·Future Human Settlements: Interdisciplinary Dialogue and Innovative Practices," was held in the Han Hall of the Wuhan International Expo Center. Moderated by Mr. Li Zhigang, Dean of the School of Urban Design at Wuhan University, the event featured opening remarks by Srinivasa Popuri, Chief of the UN-Habitat Multi Country Programme Office of Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific, and Mr. Cheng Minghua, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Urban-Rural Development. Keynote presentations were delivered by: Mr. Tom Wolters, Senior Advisor at UN-Habitat, Mr. Ma Yin, Founder and CEO of Aranya, Mr. Tan Gangyi, Dean of School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Mr. Dong Gong, Foreign Member of the French Academy of Architecture and Founder of Vector Architects shared insights on urbanization, ecological civilization, sponge city construction in Wuhan, Aranya community development, and future low-altitude human settlements design. The speakers provided systematic thoughts for future human settlements development from ecological, community, technological, and design perspectives. 

On the morning of 8th November, the International Symposium on Livable Cities in Asia-Pacific convened at the Sky Library of the WPDI. Mr. Hu Yueping, the Vice President moderated the session. The opening remarks are delivered by Mr. Zhang Zhenshan, Senior Advisor of UN-Habitat China Office, and Ms. Zhu Ying, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Urban-Rural Development. Mr. Laxman Perera, Senior Advisor of UN-Habitat Sri Lanka Office, Mr. Vanna Sok, HPM of UN-Habitat Cambodia Office, Mr. Luay Ahmad, Policy Director from Ministry of Public Works and Housing of Syria, Ms. Ninik Suhartini, Assistant Professor at Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia, Ms. Liu Jiayan, Professor at Tsinghua University School of Architecture, Mr. Pan Minding, Vice President of Arte Charpentier Paris Headquarters & Chairman of China Branch, and Mr. Hu Dongdong, Director of the Xiangyang Branch of WPDI, shared experiences and achievements on topics of governance practices for livable cities and the management of informal settlements in the Asia-Pacific region. They addressed that while the Asia-Pacific region had the differences in socio-economic situation and environmental resources, it shared common goals and aspirations in developing the livable cities. Its distinctive governance models for livable cities provided valuable references for the sustainable development of cities worldwide.

On the afternoon of 8th November, International Forum on Wetland Governance convened at Wuhan's Chenhu International Town. Moderated by Ms. Sun Xiaoli, Vice President of WPDI, the session featured opening remarks by Mr. Ying Sheng, Country Manager of UN-Habitat China Office, and Mr. Wu Liqun, Associate Chief Inspector of Wuhan Natural Resource. Mr. Srinivasa Popuri, Ms. Ana Mendes, Professor at the University of Évora, Portugal, Mr. Tom Wolters, Ms. Bettina Lamm, Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Ms. Verónica Gonzalez, Officer from Panama's Ministry of Environment, Mr. Cheng Liang, Vice President of the China Wetland Conservation Association, Ms. He Mei, Chief Planner of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources and Urban-Rural Development, and Ms. Liu Ai, Director of the Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Division of the Wuhan Bureau of Parks and Forestry. They shared and exchanged insights on case studies of ecological restoration of Inle Lake in Myanmar, the Mechlen Living Lab collaboration project, and wetland conservation practices in China, Netherlands and Panama. These presentations and dialogues addressed the multi-dimensional challenges of wetland conservation. The Forum showcased Wuhan's innovative achievements in wetland governance and ecological transformation, as well as provided a reference model for wetland cities worldwide.

This Seminar established a valuable exchange platform for domestic and international scholars, with over 600 participants of the three sessions. Over ten renowned domestic and international experts and scholars recognized Wuhan as a "model city for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature." They acknowledged Wuhan's extensive experience in livable city development, urban renewal, and wetland restoration, as well as its ongoing exploration of optimal pathways. This demonstrates Wuhan's open, inclusive, and innovative spirit as a "City of Design."