No matter how the world changes， peoples aspiration for a better living environmentremains unchanged. Urban planners factor this in their blueprintsand different eras give different characteristics to urban design and architecture.Modernization， technological progress， cultural trends， and social issueshave all become drivers of urban planning and building design.

In addition， architects and urban planners worldwide have to consider severalcrucial issues today – how to tackle climate change by reducing carbonemission in construction and improving the ecological environment in urbandesign， how to revitalize ancient cultural heritage， and how to create a new，sustainable urban culture.

In May 2024， China issued a guideline on the development of smart cities.It envisions digital transformation of urban areas， smarter urban managementand more livable， resilient， and smarter communities by 2027.

This Special Report presents the insights of design and architecture expertsfrom both China and the West， some of whom will attend the China-SpainDialogue on Urban Planning and Cultural Development in Madrid， Spain， onJune 28. One of the many exchanges between the two countries in the field，the dialogue will pool transborder wisdom and share solutions， spurringurban development in both countries.