Guangzhou's governance model benefits all, says Metropolis chief

"So Metropolis, the organization that brings together many cities from around the world, has a long-standing partnership with the city of Guangzhou," said Jordi Vaquer, Secretary-General of Metropolis—the World Association of the Major Cities.

As he noted in his recent exclusive interview with GDToday, Guangzhou's approach offers "really inspiring" lessons for cities worldwide, as many face the dual challenges of sustainable development and technological transformation.

With over 150 member cities, including 30 from China, Metropolis has long collaborated with Guangzhou and the Guangzhou Institute for Urban Innovation through the Guangzhou Awards.

This partnership recently convened global city leaders and award winners to address two critical issues: localizing sustainable development goals and leveraging technology for implementation.

Livable communities for all

Beyond theoretical discussions, delegates witnessed Guangzhou's best practices firsthand. Key areas include smart transportation, artificial intelligence, and the emerging low-altitude economy.

Vaquer noted Guangzhou's human-centric urban renewal: "The city has been rehabilitating old neighborhoods in the center and creating safe community spaces for older people, children, and everyone living in the neighborhood to support each other." This demonstrates that the city invests not just in "big mega projects," but also in the human scale and the quality of life.

This focus on the "human scale" and "quality of life" shows that Guangzhou balances mega-projects with grassroots inclusivity. Such efforts reflect a broader trend in East Asia, where cities like Singapore and Seoul are reimagining aging societies through technology and design.

Meanwhile, Guangzhou is at the forefront of addressing demographic shifts. By pioneering "dementia-free urbanism"—through health bracelets, navigable streets, and age-friendly infrastructure—the city transforms aging into an economic and social opportunity. "A city that's friendly to older people is also going to be friendly to kids and people with disabilities," Vaquer emphasizes. "In the end, it makes cities more livable for everyone."

Innovation made in coping climate changes

Guangzhou's innovative responses to climate change—a pressing issue for this "flood-prone area"—have made a lasting impact. Vaquer notes how the city addresses "two significant effects of climate change": extreme heat and flooding.

By integrating "technology-based solutions and nature-based solutions," Guangzhou mitigates the urban heat island effect and flood risks. "This is not only a model for other cities," Vaquer asserts, "but also demonstrates how to turn challenges into opportunities."

Inclusivity and openness win

Amid tightening immigration policies in the West, Vaquer sees a pivotal moment for East Asia: "This is a great opportunity for China and other nations to embrace the idea that they can also attract international talent."

Guangzhou's dual focus on sustainability and inclusivity highlights its role as a global laboratory for urban innovation. As Vaquer concludes, such strategies are not just local fixes but "a winning strategy in the long term" for cities around the world.

Reporter | Guo Zedong

Video & Cover | Guo Hongda

Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He