On 13 November, the Center for Responsible Business and Innovation (CRBI) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China successfully held its seventh session of "Let'S talk!" event. This event invited Professor Ming Lu, Distinguished Professor of Economics, Director of Shanghai Institute for National Economy (SHINE), and research fellow of China Institute of Urban Governance at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and the best-selling author of Great State Needs Bigger City, to discuss the governance of big cities in China's post-industrial economy. The discussion focused on the close and complex relationship between policy adjustment and optimization, sustainable development in big cities, and their important significance in the current stage of economic growth.

In the opening remarks, Professor Jing Dai, Director of CRBI, introduced the center and its "Let'S talk!" event series. She pointed out that the "Let'S talk!" platform is not only a place for knowledge exchange, but also a diverse community that brings together thought leaders, pioneers of change, thinkers, and learners. Here, we work together to ignite sparks of innovation and excellence, and jointly promote society's move towards a sustainable future.

In his keynote speech, Professor Lu discussed the economic transformation and urban governance in China's modernization process with the topic "Governance of dynamic, livable, and harmonious large cities". He highlighted that as China's per capita GDP rises, it is on track to become a high-income country, with the service industry emerging as a key driver of urban vitality. This is particularly relevant in the post-industrial era, where China faces the challenge of excess manufacturing capacity and insufficient demand for services. The development of the service industry not only addresses employment issues but also caters to the high-quality living needs of the people, promoting the transformation of the manufacturing industry towards high-end development.

Professor Ming Lu highlighted the importance of balancing density and vitality in urban planning. Appropriate high density can improve community vitality and social cohesion. Population mobility reflects people's aspirations for a better life, including migration from rural to urban areas, from small to large cities, and from the periphery to the central urban area. He also stressed the role of communities in autonomy and education, enhancing people's social communication skills, and meeting consumers' personalized service needs. Furthermore, cities should exhibit an attitude of equality, openness, and inclusiveness, promoting aesthetic diversity and avoiding single standards, such as personalized shop signs, street culture, and the demand for art performances.

Lastly, Professor Ming Lu emphasized the impact of technology on urban life, citing the example of live-streaming e-commerce, which illustrates the deep integration of online and offline economies and promotes urban development. He also underscored the importance of pursuing sustainable development and achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, alongside economic growth. During the Q&A session, a participant asked why urban centralization and its economic functions and services cannot be evenly distributed to the surrounding area with the population. Professor Ming Lu responded with a sentence "Agriculture follows land, manufacturing follows capital, and services follow population", underscoring that population density determines the cost and demand of the service industry. The service industry requires interaction with people, so it tends to concentrate on areas with more people, such as finance, public services, and theaters, depending on the industry demand for interpersonal interaction.

This session of "Let'S talk!" event not only provided faculty and students with cutting-edge academic theories and engaging case analyses, but also offered valuable guidance for comprehensive urban governance that considers economic development, social needs, cultural heritage, technological progress, and environmental protection. It is a step towards building modern cities that are dynamic, livable, and harmonious.