Xi Jinping’s important expositions on modernized cities for the people emerged from the integration and mutual reinforcement of Marxist urban theory and the people-oriented thought of ancient China. They were developed through the mutually reinforcing processes of urban development under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the practice of Chinese modernization. Drawing on the Party’s practical experience in urban work, these expositions constitute a theoretical response to the tasks and challenges confronting urban development in the new era. From the four dimensions of cognition, value, space-time, and objectives, they encompass an ontology of the city, a theory of value orientation, a theory of historical positioning, and a theory of goal setting. At the level of theoretical elaboration, they have opened a new chapter in Marxist urban theory; at the level of practical guidance, they have ushered in a new stage in the development of cities for the people in the new era; and in terms of concrete pathways, they have contributed a new path toward urban modernization with Chinese characteristics. These important expositions provide scientific guidance and a guide to action for accelerating the transformation of urban development patterns and promoting high-quality urban development on the new journey of the new era.