Exploration of Urban Design Practices for New Towns from the
Perspective of Urban Operations:
A Case Study of the Area North of Changjiang West Road in Hefei Canal
New City
Abstract:Since the implementation of reform and opening-up policies, China’s urbanization has accelerated rapidly. Large-scale
urban expansion has provided essential spatial support for urban development, with new town construction serving as
a critical pathway for growth. Amid shifting development contexts and paradigm changes, new town development has
now entered a sustainable phase oriented toward emerging socio-environmental demands. In this context, conventional
urban design methodologies must undergo adaptive transformation to meet the requirements of new-era urbanization.
This entails establishing an integrated workflow spanning strategic planning, design implementation, and operational
management—shifting the focus from aesthetic formalism and idealized spatial configurations to governance objectives
that mitigate operational risks, enhance management efficiency, and strengthen urban competitiveness. Using the urban
design practice for the area north of Changjiang West Road in Hefei Canal New City as a case study, this paper explores
operational perspective-driven implementation pathways and strategies, aiming to provide methodological insights and
references for other regions.