Sylvia He: Lessons from Hong Kong for the Future of Chinese Cities
The Century of Cities welcomes Sylvia He, Director of the Urban Studies Programme, and the MSc Programme in Sustainable Urban Planning, and Professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Sylvia explains how transport has defined the city’s evolution, from the pioneering MTR model to the rise of EVs, cautious steps on micro-mobility, and new ambitions for drone-based “low-altitude economies.” She shows how real-time data and smart city tools are reshaping planning in Hong Kong and asks what it will take for Chinese cities to remain livable, resilient, and attractive in the long run. She also shares insights from her book, Handbook on Transport in Asia, exploring how mobility systems, policy innovations, and transport equity are shaping the future of urban life across the region.
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27:35
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27:35
Mee Kam Ng: Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and the Next Century of Cities
Mee Kam Ng, Emeritus Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, joins us on the latest episode of The Century of Cities. Mee Kam challenges us to move from “talk” to “walk,” using technology not just for efficiency, but to improve lives and restore ecosystems. She envisions two futures: one where technology helps build a circular economy and more equal societies, and another where automation deepens inequality and control. Drawing on the transformation of the Pearl River Delta into the Greater Bay Area, she reveals how Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou capture both the tensions and opportunities of multi-city regions, and why the choices we make now will define the century ahead.
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29:39
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29:39
Shenjing He: From Rural Roots to Megacity Regions
In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Shenjing He, Professor and Head of the Department of Urban Planning & Design at the University of Hong Kong. Drawing on decades of transformation, she reflects on China’s journey from a predominantly rural society to a nation defined by megacity regions, high-speed mobility, and ambitious net-zero commitments. Shenjing highlights the enduring challenges of inequality, the housing struggles of rural migrants, and the complexity between national ambitions and local entrepreneurialism. She shares why regional integration will be essential, how intergenerational equity and climate resilience will shape the future, and what lessons China’s urbanization offers to Africa and South Asia. Shenjing also considers the evolving role of the urban scholar, the tensions between collaboration and competition in city clusters, and why she remains cautiously optimistic about the long game for sustainable, equitable cities.
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26:57
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26:57
Patrick McVeigh - Bonus Listener Episode
The Century of Cities welcomes Patrick McVeigh, Technical Director - Economic Development Advisory at Beca. In this special listener series, Patrick reflects on the episodes that resonated most, the guests who offered new insights, and the cities that have shaped how he thinks about growth and innovation.
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13:17
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13:17
Opportune Simon - Bonus Listener Episode
In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we’re joined by Opportune Simone, Strategic Operations - Asset Management at Places for London. Opportune highlights her favourite moments from the podcast, the guests who sparked fresh ideas, and the cities that challenge her to think differently about the future.
Welcome to The Century of Cities, a captivating journey fueled by curiosity into humanity’s most profound transformation: urban evolution. By 2100, 10 billion people will live in over 10,000 cities. What shape will that world take? This 100-episode series explores the forces driving this shift through illuminating interviews and compelling stories, revealing how cities can lead us toward a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient world.
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