China’s urbanization is transitioning from an era of sprawling expansion to the pursuit of livability. Only cities that are designed and constructed for people can be livable and sustainable. In an effort to understand how changes to the urban physical environment can impact on sustainability, livability, and quality of life in cities, Energy Foundation, Gehl Architects, and China Sustainable Transportation Centre (CSTC) have since 2008collaborated on case studies in Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Kunshan, Kunming, and Jinan. The resulting “Changing Cities in 5 Steps” booklet summarizes those pilot projects and shows how the five steps can enable local people, planners, and politicians to succeed with implementing the vision of a socially sustainable future for Chinese cities.