Chongqing, a megacity of 82,400 km² with 32 million residents, encompasses metropolitan cores, expansive rural hinterlands, the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, mountainous terrains, and diverse ethnic communities. As a designated UNESCO City of Design within the Creative Cities Network (since 2023), Chongqing is advancing a new paradigm of Design Empowering Integration and Upgrades of Industry and Urban-rural Development’ to forge a pioneering demonstration zone for megacity-specific urban design and renewal, anchored in a comprehensive design ecosystem.