Global higher education is undergoing a profound structural transformation. With the rapid advance of technological revolutions, industrial change, and shifts in urban competitive dynamics, adjustments to university disciplines and programs have become a pivotal link between knowledge innovation and social development. This book uses Shanghai as its empirical case and, anchored in national strategy and urban development, systematically analyzes the foundations, structure, and trajectories of discipline development at Shanghai’s universities. It explores the theoretical evolution of discipline evaluation, innovative mechanisms for optimizing disciplinary arrangements, and the pathways through which universities support urban functions and leading industries. Drawing on years of empirical research and policy consultancy, the author probes the internal logic and governance pathways of disciplinary-layout optimization from the perspective of interactions among disciplines, industries, and cities, showcasing Shanghai’s institutional innovations and practical experiences as a frontline city of education reform in China. The book not only attends to the intrinsic academic dynamics of discipline development but also emphasizes how higher education can address contemporary challenges—such as technological change and demographic shifts—offering new perspectives for understanding the structural transformation and future direction of urban higher education in China.

Translated by Yijiao SHI

Full text in Chinese available at:

https://fddi.fudan.edu.cn/93/a3/c19045a758691/page.htm