Recently, the Environmental Art Design Research Institute of Donghua University was commissioned by the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Administration Committee to compile the “Guidelines for Urban Furniture Setting in Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District” (hereinafter referred to as the “Guidelines”), which was jointly approved and released for implementation by the Shanghai Hongqiao International Central Business District Administration Committee, the People’s Government of Minhang District of Shanghai Municipality, the People’s Government of Changning District of Shanghai Municipality, the People’s Government of Qingpu District of Shanghai Municipality and the People’s Government of Jiading District of Shanghai Municipality. The Guidelines are based on the “Overall Program for the Construction of Hongqiao International Open Hub” approved by the State Council and the “Shanghai Urban Renewal Action Plan (2023-2025)” issued by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government, which further unify the planning and construction standards of Hongqiao Business District and provide a framework for the creation of an internationalized central business district to lead the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.

The construction level of urban furniture integrated system reflects the degree of development and comprehensive competitive strength of a country. Under the leadership of Prof. Bao Shidu, the research team has spent nearly one year to conduct in-depth research and full justification on the urban environment of the 151.4 square kilometers of the Hongqiao Business District, and is committed to creating a low-carbon and intelligent urban furniture demonstration zone with international style, Chinese characteristics and Hongqiao elements. The project aims to set a benchmark for “urban furniture systems” in the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration Zone and to promote the high-quality development of a central business district that meets international standards. Relying on the four newly released national standards for urban furniture, the project team proposed a series of management standards and service specifications, including general rules for construction, implementation details, management requirements and assessment methods, to comprehensively guide the overall construction objectives and development needs of the Hongqiao Business District, and to ensure that the core concepts of “systematization and standardization” are effectively implemented.

The release of the Guidelines offers “Donghua Solutions” and contributes “Donghua Power” to the construction of a world-class “Design Capital” in Shanghai, which comprehensively boosts design to empower high-quality economic development, high-quality life of citizens and high-efficiency governance of the city, strengthen the core competitiveness of the industry, enhance the soft power of the city and build up the advantages of future innovative development. “The University will continue to take a pioneering stance and contribute to the construction of the city by the people, promoting urban renewal and upgrading the quality of the urban environment, and providing more “Donghua Wisdom” for the development of domestic and international cities.