The inaugural International Urban Forum, co-organized by urbanDATA and hosted by Fudan University's Urban Research Center, Fudan University's School of International Relations and Public Affairs, the Urban Planning Society of China, Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, National University of Singapore's Department of Architecture, and Shanghai Urban Planning Administration Bureau, commenced on November 3, 2006 at Fudan University.
The forum's theme was "China's Urbanization: Culture, Identity, and Spatial Transformation." At Dr. Shan Wenhui's invitation, distinguished attendees included:
- Mr. Qiu Baoxing, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Construction
- Nicolas P. Retsinas, Director of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Peter G. Rowe, Professor Emeritus at the Harvard Graduate School of Designand former Dean
- John Friedmann, Professor Emeritus at UCLA and University of British Columbia
- Saskia Sassen, Professor at University of Chicago and Centennial Visiting Professor at LSE
Over one hundred international experts and scholars participated. Also in attendance was Mr. Shi Nan, Secretary-General of the Urban Planning Society of China. The forum garnered significant attention from industry professionals worldwide.