Other city planners and managers were also in attendance at the forum and shared their ideas about the best practices with which to run a city, as well as shedding light on future development trends.

Wu Zhiqiang, Shanghai Expo 2010 General Planner, put forward a new concept separating the development of a city into three phrases – a machine with functions of business and education, etc; an organ with functions connected with each other; and life with harmony of man and nature.

Wu Zhiqiang, Shanghai Expo 2010 General Planner

Economist Duncan Innes-Ker from the World Economist Group pointed out that the livability of a city is expressed through its diversity, which can be compared by surveying foreign managers’ attitudes and judged by the local security, medical care, environment, culture, education and basic infrastructures.

Duncan Innes-Ker from the World Economist Group

As one of the six themed forums in the Shanghai World Expo, the Global Livable City Forum is organized by UN-Habitat, Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Hangzhou Municipal Government and Shanghai Expo Bureau. It will be held at the Zhejiang Narada Grand Hotel in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou was chosen to host the forum as it is known for its harmonious living environment and fast growing economy, which echoes the theme of the Shanghai Expo 2010: “Better City, Better Life”.

By Nancy