Mayors and urban development leaders from 10 countries gathered in Nanjing this week for the Global Mayors Dialogue, a platform focused on advancing sustainable city-building practices. The event, themed 'Flowing Rivers, Converging Future,' highlights Nanjing's role as a model for balancing historical preservation with modern innovation.
Delegates from Brunei, Egypt, Germany, Malaysia, and other nations are exchanging strategies on cultural heritage protection, green infrastructure, and smart-city technologies. The three-day program includes field visits to Nanjing's 600-year-old city walls, Yangtze River ecological zones, and urban renewal projects demonstrating integrated development approaches.
'Ancient Chinese wisdom in urban planning still inspires modern solutions,' noted Malacca's historic area committee chairman Gan Tian Loo during a site tour. He emphasized growing interest among Malaysian youth in Nanjing's blend of cultural depth and contemporary vitality, proposing expanded cooperation in education and tourism.
Organizers state the forum aims to establish long-term partnerships between waterfront cities, with Nanjing's success in harmonizing economic growth with environmental stewardship serving as a key reference point. The outcomes are expected to influence urban policy frameworks across Asia and beyond.
