1、Foreword 1by Ayumi KonishiAs an integral part of its development strategy.the Peoples Republic of China(PRC)has been pursuingurbanization of its cities.Urbanization has been a key driver of the PRCs development and the emerging urbaneconomies have significantly contributed to the impressive and sust
2、ained growth of the national gross domesticproduct and to served to lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty across the country.However,this rapidurbanization coupled with intensive industrialization has also accompanied numerous complex problems ranging fromenvironmental degradation.deep
3、social inequalities,and destruction of local cultural heritage.The PRC is shifting the focus of its urbanization and development policies from the growth-centered modelto the one that focuses on achieving higher quality urban and social development.This transformation includesa commitment to make ci
4、ties and towns more livable,green,inclusive,and competitive,by emphasizing peoplecenteredness,ecological civilization,and cultural heritage.Now,environmental,social,and cultural dimensionsare integrated in city planning.The Asian Development Bank(ADB)started supporting the PRCs urban development thr
5、ough its lendingoperations in 1992.As of December 2015.56 loans amounting to$6.65 billion,and 88 technical assistanceprojects totaling$60 million have been approved for the PRCs urban development.ADB is proud to have beenactively working with cities on multidisciplinary approaches to promote their l
6、ivable,socially inclusive,economicallycompetitive,and environmentally sustainable,and climate resilient development.ADB will continue to supportthe PRCs urbanization with projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to environmental and socioeconomicchallenges.In 2010.together with the Tongji Univ
7、ersity,ADB established the PRC Urban Knowledge Hub.In November 2013.the Urban Knowledge Hub organized a seminar on the construction of new towns and new districts and their key rolein current urban and regional planning.The seminar led to the joint production between ADB and Tongji University ofseve
8、ral publications providing an overview of international and PRC good practices in the planning and developmentof new towns and districts.This photobook is one such publication,which not only offers a set of unique visual illustrations of current newtowns and districts in the PRC but also demonstrates the importance of image photography in the visualization ofurban spaces and their subsequent planning and development.Ayumi KonishiDirector General.East Asia Department,Asian Development Bank3
