Abstract: This paper reviewed the development process of urban geography and urban development research during the past 70 years, since IGSNRR was found in 1940, and divided the long time into four stages: slow exploration stage (1949-1980), energetic participation stage (1981-1990), fast expansion stage (1991-2000) and gradual deepening stage (since 2000). It also systematically summarized the pioneer research achievements obtained by the urban geography research workers in China's urban construction forecasting and planning adjustment, theory and methodology of China's urban system planning, China's urbanization and its resource and environment effects, China urban agglomeration and typical urban agglomeration areas, urban development and planning of different types and at different levels, urban spatial structure at different spatial scales and decision support system for town industrial distribution, and a series of significant issues for urban development. In the future, urbanization process and level of resource and environment protection, urban-rural integrated development mechanism, urban agglomeration development, dynamics mechanism and buttressing effect of industrial agglomeration and space reorganization, urban development strategy and urban spatial structure optimization, and development models of new-type city like low-carbon city and eco-city should be important directions in further studies.

Key words: 70th anniversary of IGSNRR, China, development stages, major achievement and contribution, progress and perspectives, urban geography