New issues, new paths and new practices of resource activation and urban renewal

Against the backdrop of China's strategic transition from incremental urban expansion to stock-based quality improvement, this paper provides a systematic review and synthesis of 304 academic presentations delivered at the First Annual Conference of the Committee on Resource Activation and Urban Renewal of the China Society of Natural Resources. It comprehensively identifies the new issues, new paths, and new practices shaping contemporary research and policy innovation in this field. In terms of new issues, scholarly attention has shifted from land redevelopment and spatial optimization to institutional reform, social equity, and value reconstruction, reflecting a paradigmatic move from "material renewal" to multidimensional frameworks integrating spatial, social, and institutional dimensions. Theoretical explorations increasingly emphasize spatial justice, ecological civilization, and community resilience, laying the foundation for a more integrated understanding of resource activation. Regarding new paths, cross-disciplinary convergence around health-oriented cities, ecological transition, and digital transformation is reshaping the logic of urban renewal. These innovations mark a shift from construction-led interventions to holistic governance and human-centered development, fostering a "people-ecology-intelligence" synergy in renewal practices. As for new practices, collaborative governance among local governments, markets, and communities has emerged as the key mechanism for activating underutilized resources and improving implementation effectiveness. Institutional innovation in fiscal sustainability and land market reform provides crucial leverage for scaling up renewal outcomes. Overall, the study argues that resource activation represents not merely a technical process of spatial improvement, but a systemic restructuring of urban social relations, institutional frameworks, and value systems. By synthesizing nationwide scholarly findings, this paper outlines the evolving interaction between resource activation and urban renewal, offering theoretical insights and practical guidance for advancing China's high-quality urban transformation in the New Era.