This annual forum was held in early November 2018: based on the “One Belt, One Road” initiative of the Chinese leadership, aims to strengthen connectivity and business ties between China and Southeast Asia and China and Europe; and to promote global and regional dialogue.
The Chairman of CIAC, Mr. Edmond Yeo JP, was invited to be one of the Guest Speakers at the forum.
Edmond’s topic was – “City and Urbanization – Reshaping Real Estate Development.”
Edmond reckoned the social environment and political pressure is the real challenge brought about by rapid urbanization.
For him, the “smart cities” may not be “so smart” after all, because this social imbalances would lead to a huge gap between rich and poor. Community friction will inevitably appear in these communities.
Edmond mentioned that we should not establish a selective ideal and expensive property cluster in the name of “urbanization”, in the name of social progresses and their value.
He advocated that the central government, in conjunction with local governments, should ensure and improve the quality of life for urban populations, and be responsible for people’s health and safety and the protection of the community’s environment. This is not only the connectivity of the infrastructure, but should also include enough schools, hospitals, transportation networks, affordable housing and a more environmentally friendly urban environment. It can effectively strengthen the social cohesion and integration, addressing social problems positively.
He wishes the real estate developers can build a more sustainable and inclusive future smart city through effective and rigorous planning review with the trend and pace of urbanization.
此年度論壇11月較早前舉行：旨在以中國領導層的“一帶一路”倡議為基礎，加強中國與東南亞以及中國和歐洲之間的連通性和商業聯繫；促進全球和區域對話。
倫敦華人資料及諮詢中心主席楊慶權太平紳士獲邀在論壇就時下議題發言。
楊主席的議題是 – “城市與城市化 – 重塑房地產開發”。
楊主席識為社會環境和政治壓力是快速城市化所帶來的真正挑戰。
對他而言，“智能城市”並非“如此聰明”，因為這帶來的社會不平衡將導致貧富之間的巨大鴻溝。這樣社區摩擦會不可避免地在這些社區內出現！
楊主席提到我們不應以“城市化”為名建立只有選擇性的理想和昂貴的物業集群，而犧牲了社會進程及其價值。
他主張中央政府聯同各地方政府確保和提高城市人口的生活質量，擔起人民健康和安全以及保護社區環境的重任。這不僅是基礎設施的連通性，更必須包括足夠的學校，醫院，交通網絡，經濟適用房等必須事項和更環保的城市環境。從而加強社會凝聚力和社會融合，正面解決社會問題。
他期待隨著城市化的趨勢和步伐，通過有效、嚴格的規劃審查，帶領房地產開發商構建更具可持續性和包容性的未來智能城市。
