On November 18th, the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations (SFSSA) and the Publicity Department of CPC Hongkou District Committee jointly hosted the “Theory Nourishes Hongkou’ Event: A Dialogue Between Theory and Practice on Advancing Urban Governance Modernization through Whole-Process People’s Democracy.” Fudan University’s (FDU) Professor Sang Yucheng, who is also a Vice President of the Federation, Professor Lin Yan from the KoGuan School of Law of Shanghai Jiaotong University (SJTU) and Xue Zelin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Politics and Public Administration of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, engaged in a discussion on urban governance based on the case of the Hongkou District. The three-party conversation session was moderated by Jiang Changjian, an Associate Professor of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at FDU.

Professor Sang Yucheng emphasized that the essence of urban governance is rooted in the synergistic partnership between the state and civil society, as well as the interplay between governmental bodies and the populace, all aimed at establishing a framework for co-governance. The populace is positioned as the central force within this governance structure, underscoring their pivotal role in shaping urban management strategies. The crux of effective grassroots governance hinges on igniting the populace's proactivity, their sense of duty and mission, and their civic consciousness and communal spirit. An environment conducive to growth can profoundly influence and guide individual behavior. An exemplary model of urban governance should meticulously craft the urban environment through the nuances of urban management, subtly nurturing virtuous citizens and collaboratively fostering a constructive and dynamic social fabric.

Professor Lin Yan highlighted the pivotal difference between governance and management as the extent to which people are afforded opportunities for participation. True governance, according to Lin, is characterized by the lawful involvement of citizens through diverse channels and forms. In the context of a dynamic society and shifting public sentiments, the innovative application of whole-process people's democracy is crucial and “good” governance demands the development of tailored, context-sensitive solutions, which, in turn, depends on engaging a wider demographic in the democratic process, tapping into the collective intelligence of the populace, and fostering a collaborative effort in the construction of a city that truly belongs to its people.

Xue Zelin noted the intricacies of urban governance. First of all, he called for most effective and efficient policy-making processes, which are to come if we comprehend and know how to address the populace's needs, and constantly try to improve our governance practices. Second, it is imperative to define the city's functional objectives with precision, to delineate the pivotal areas of governance, and to target the core issues that demand attention. By doing so, governance efforts can be directed towards achieving outcomes that not only meet but exceed the expectations of the community. Lastly, the engagement of a diverse array of stakeholders is paramount in the urban governance paradigm. A city should foster a dialogical and interactive environment, which is bound to cultivate a deep-seated sense of belonging and affection for the city among its residents.

Jiang Changjian believed that every city has its unique personality and temperament. Shanghai is a megacity and also an open city, the governance of which is, therefore, necessarily complex and pluralistic. Its landscape of social governance is characterized by a rich tapestry of participants, necessitating that leaders in governance push for collective engagement across various societal strata. Furthermore, the modernization of Shanghai's urban governance must transcend a myopic, self-centric viewpoint. It should stress and make the best use of synergistic impact of collaborative efforts in governance improvement within a broader area and even the whole nation.