(Yicai) Oct. 31 -- Shanghai has completed the renovation of 30 million square meters of dilapidated houses, benefiting more than 1.3 million families, the deputy mayor of Shanghai said at the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Cities Day China Observance and the 2024 SDG Cities Global Conference today.

Deputy Mayor Chen Yujian said Shanghai is committed to building a livable, resilient and smart city. A 59-kilometer pedestrian path has been constructed along the banks of Huangpu River, as well as a 42-kilometer path along the Suzhou Creek, he said, and the city has also created over 900 parks of various kinds.

World Cities Day, initiated by the United Nations in 2014, falls on Oct. 31 each year and is intended to promote interest in urbanization and foster global cooperation in dealing with the challenges of sustainable urban development, according to the World Health Organization.

The Chinese versions of the 2024 Shanghai Manual: A Guide for Sustainable Urban Development in the 21st Century and the Shanghai Adapted Index were released by city leaders at the ceremony.

The eastern metropolis is focusing on promoting the digital transformation of urban governance, Chen said, adding that it has already deployed more than 370 million Internet of Things terminals and more than 77,000 5G base stations.

Representatives from various fields introduced five public benefit activities that are interactive, including a national urban governance challenge competition for students, and the presentation of city-walk routes. A variety of activities covering Shanghai's 16 districts have been launched to help celebrate World Cities Day.

Editor: Tom Litting