Visions of urban future at first global forum

The first Princeton-Fung Global Forum drew 150 scholars and experts to Shanghai from around the world to discuss how population growth, social trends, climate change, and other factors might shape “The Future of the City.”

“We hope that this will be the beginning of a wonderful series of conferences in which Princeton engages with some of the important questions facing our world,” President Tilghman said Jan. 30 as the three-day conference opened.

“China is urbanizing at the rate of about 14 million people a year” — a figure equivalent to the population of Tokyo, said William Fung ’70. Fung is chairman of the Hong Kong-based Li & Fung group of export and retail companies; his $10 million gift to Princeton established the forum.

Nineteen Princeton faculty members attended the conference, along with urban-policy experts from Asia, Europe, and North America. Filmmakers Andrew Jarecki ’85 and Anurag Kashyap of India discussed how cities were depicted in their work, and an exhibition on “The Resilient City” showcased work by University researchers and students.

Next year’s global forum will be held in Paris.