In the past decade, China’s cities expanded at an average rate of 10％ annually, and between 1978 and 2005 China’s urbanization rate increased from 17.4％ to 41.8％, an unprecedented scale in human history. Many urban environmental problems that have haunted developed countries in different phases of their century-long industrialization have occurred in China all within the last few decades. The conflict between urban environment and development is becoming ever more prominent in the process of China’s urbanization.

The Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences is uniquely positioned to bring creative solutions to urban environmental problems. Our aims will include not only the ways to solve or mitigate urban environmental problems, but also ways to achieve the coexistence of an affluent natural and urban environment in cooperation with our citizens. In China, significant progress has been made in urban environmental quality during the past decade, it is however far from enough and far from the situation we really call for sustainable development. We believe additional progress will depend greatly on the ability to find integrated solutions that draw upon expertise in science, engineering, technology, regional planning, management and digital technology approaches. IUE provides the opportunity to bring these various areas of expertise together to help find these solutions. As a national research institute, IUE has a mission to implement the national strategy, leading national researches and serving the public benefit. In order to seek productive success, we are sincerely looking forward to your kindest cooperation with and generous support for our institute.