In May 1983, the State Science and Technology Commission confirmed that the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design was positioned as an academy-level research institution, with its full name being the China Academy of Urban Planning and Design of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and Environmental Protection. Its main task was to study China’s urban development strategies, objectives, standards, layouts, approaches, procedures, theories, policies and implementation matters. More specifically, it would be committed to research on China’s urbanization pathways, development forecasting, comprehensive urban land use, well-structured layout, transformation of old towns, urban transportation, housing, public facilities, landscaping and municipal utilities. CAUPD was planned to become a national center for urban planning research, design and information. Under the umbrella of CAUPD, there were the Institute of Urban History and Theory, the Institute of Urban Master Planning, the Institute of Urban Planning and Economics, the Institute of Detailed Urban Planning, the Institute of Urban Transportation, the Institute of Scenic and Historic City Planning, the Editorial Office of the Journal of Urban Planning, the Business Office, the Administrative Office, the Office of the Party Committee, and the Human Resources Office. Later, the Architectural Design Office was set up.
It was a time when a pool of talented individuals gathered in CAUPD. The primary task at that time was to bring together professionals and experts to build a robust technical team. The strategy of pursuing talent-driven development was already in the genes of CAUPD and has remained so throughout the years. By seizing the opportunities generated by China’s reform and opening up, CAUPD achieved unprecedented progress on research, design and academic fronts.
The technical committee set up in 1982 by the Research Institute of Urban Planning and Design was turned into CAUPD’s Science and Technology Committee, with Chen Zhanxiang as the director. Since 1984, CAUPD has had experts with significant academic influence as its senior advisors, including Wu Liangyong, Ren Zhenying, Zheng Xiaoxie, Hou Renzhi, Qi Kang, Lin Zhiqun, Zhou Ganzhi, Xu Xunchu, Zhao Shixiu (hired in 1994), Peter-Hall (hired in 2004), Joh·Lang, and John·Fridemann. In 1985, CAUPD appointed for the first time one deputy chief planner, one deputy chief engineer, one deputy chief economist and one deputy chief architect, and established the Chief Engineer’s Office in 1986. At the same time, with the approval of the State Council, a number of outstanding technical staff were selected nationwide to join CAUPD and a large number of college graduates majoring in urban planning, architecture, economic geography, gardening and engineering were recruited, which reinforced the technical strengths of each institute and paved the way for the rapid development of scientific and technological research.
To better fulfill its mission and align with the country’s reform and opening up efforts, as well as the priority given to coastal area development, CAUPD expanded in size and strength over time. In 1984, it set up its first branch, the CAUPD Shenzhen Consulting Center (renamed “China Academy of Urban Planning and Design Shenzhen Branch” in 1992). This branch was instrumental in performing planning tasks in coastal special economic zones and open cities, playing a significant role in promoting urban development in coastal regions.
The main tasks of CAUPD comprised developing master plans for each city, devising research plans for urban planning, and conducting research on urban development strategies and policy issues. In addition, CAUPD expanded its research efforts to cover topics such as urbanization, urban infrastructure, and special planning programs, with the aim of supporting economic growth through scientific research. To enhance international exchanges, CAUPD actively participated in international academic conferences while also facilitating personnel exchange and technical cooperation between nations. Efforts were made to improve publicity by issuing publications in foreign languages such as the English edition of Urban Planning and China City Planning Review, and inviting foreign experts to China for academic exchanges.
During this phase, the development of CAUPD resulted in significant social benefits. The scope of urban planning research was expanded, and notable breakthroughs were made in theory and methodology, allowing CAUPD to accumulate substantial practical and theoretical experience for comprehensive scientific research, planning, and design. Its organizational structure was adjusted as needed by national development, management strategy changes, and the expansion of tasks, positioning CAUPD well for the country’s reform of the urban economic system in 1986 and laying a solid foundation for its own reform and development in the following years.