2026 World Cities Day to showcase urban renewal practices

China's urban renewal practices will be shared with global peers at the upcoming 2026 World Cities Day global observance, as cities around the world seek new approaches to improve living conditions and promote sustainable development.

This year's World Cities Day global observance, themed "Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All", will take place from Oct 31 to Nov 2 in Fuzhou, Fujian province. The fourth Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, known as the Shanghai Award, will also be presented at the opening ceremony, officials said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

Chen Shaowang, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural development, said the theme reflected China's commitment to putting residents' needs first and using urban renewal to improve living conditions.

"We hope to exchange practical experience in urban regeneration with other countries and jointly explore paths toward sustainable urban development," Chen said.

Raf Tuts, director of UN-Habitat's Global Solutions Division, said China's experience could inform exchanges among cities seeking solutions to shared challenges.

"China has accumulated extensive experience in urban regeneration, neighborhood renewal and improving urban living conditions," Tuts said, adding that the event would provide an opportunity to exchange that experience with cities and countries worldwide and translate global housing commitments into practical action.

Such exchanges come amid a global housing challenge — up to 3.4 billion people lack access to adequate housing, including more than 1.1 billion living in slums and informal settlements, according to UN-Habitat.

In this regard, Tuts said urban regeneration should protect housing affordability and benefit existing residents.

"Communities themselves must be part of shaping the transformation of their neighborhoods," he said.

The Shanghai Award supports that exchange by recognizing urban solutions and encouraging cities to learn from one another. Established by UN-Habitat and China in 2022, it has to date honored 15 cities over three editions.

This year's award will focus on housing for diverse needs, urban regeneration, resilient infrastructure and climate adaptation, and broader participation in urban governance, Tuts said.

According to the organizer, this year's event will include 13 thematic forums and an experience zone showcasing urban renewal practices and new approaches to sustainable development. Seven city tour routes will allow participants to explore Fuzhou's progress in areas including innovation, livability, green development, resilience and smart governance. The 2026 edition of the Shanghai Manual will also be released during the event, highlighting practices and experiences from cities around the world.