On June 16, 2009, Dr. Shan Wenhui was invited to speak at the 2009 CPN Urban-China Summit - International Forum on Urban Housing held at Renmin University. Following the forum, Dr. Shan was interviewed by a reporter from Real Estate China to discuss issues related to urbanization. Below is the related news coverage.
News linkSource: Real Estate China | Reporter: Wang Jingbin | Date: 16 June 2009
On June 16, the 2009 CPN Urban-China Summit (Profile | Special Topic) - International Forum on Urban Housing was held at Renmin University. At the forum, leading domestic and international experts on cities and housing engaged in insightful discussions on topics related to urban housing.
After the forum, Real Estate China interviewed Dr. Shan Wenhui, a Harvard University urban design Ph.D. and Director of Fudan University's Urban Research Center.
Real Estate China: Many planning experts believe that China's future urbanization should follow the "Manhattan Model," characterized by high-density development supported by efficient transportation. However, this contrasts sharply with the traditional Chinese ideal of a "Garden City." Do you think the Manhattan Model suits China?
Dr. Shan Wenhui: I believe diversity is essential. Uniform models make policy-making straightforward—one-size-fits-all is the easiest approach. However, achieving diversity demands much more from policymakers. The key, as some experts mentioned earlier, lies in focusing on the study of human behavior.
Real Estate China: Indeed, many Chinese cities suffer from a "cookie-cutter" homogeneity. What do you think causes this phenomenon?
Dr. Shan Wenhui: Personally, I find it hard to accept. Such cities feel distant from people, lacking cultural identity. Addressing this requires a sophisticated policy framework, which we currently lack. Cultural factors also play a role.
Real Estate China: From the perspective of "A Real Urbanism," as you mentioned earlier, what international best practices could China learn from?
Dr. Shan Wenhui: As Professor Wu (Wu Fulong, Director of the China Urban Research Center) noted, we should embrace collaboration across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders. Our singular focus on economics often leads to extremes, like unchecked high-density development driven by profit. We must advocate for pluralistic values. Cultivating such diversity takes time. For instance, many equate urbanization with luxurious buildings, but urban landscapes should be multifaceted.
Profile
Dr. Shan Wenhui holds a Ph.D. from Harvard Graduate School of Design and serves as Director of Fudan University's China Economic Research Center. She has contributed to the "Asia-Pacific Mega-Projects and New Urbanity" study and led research on Shanghai's Lujiazui International Financial Trade Zone and Nanjing East Road Pedestrian District renewal. In 2002, she received the John T. Dunlop Award from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies. She was a featured speaker at the 2009 CPN Urban-China Summit and a planner for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo Theme Pavilion.
Dr. Shan's Perspectives
Contemporary cities are undergoing profound transformations. The new urbanization unfolds against rapid global flows of information and technology. Increased mobility brings conflicts and identity crises, blurring the lines between physical and virtual spaces.
China's most pressing urban challenge is sustainability. The unexpected rise of mega-cities raises questions: How can high-density populations coexist harmoniously with nature?
Chinese cities lack distinct identities, often appearing monotonous. Genuine urban design is scarce. With its rich history, each Chinese city has unique local culture. Modern cities should maintain continuity with this heritage, ensuring architecture reflects it. This preserves cultural identity, honors history, and helps communities forge new regional identities while adapting to urban life.