China looks to regulate city growth

Other highlights in the guideline

Reform of the urban housing system will see governments satisfy the basic living needs of disadvantaged groups, while the market will meet the demand of other residents. By 2020, the transformation and renovation of existing shantytowns, urban villages and dilapidated houses in cities will be complete.

New open residential communities will be established with links to public roads that can become part of the urban road system, leading to better utilization of urban land and optimization of the urban road network.

Cities will have more green belts and urban parks that are free to the public, putting residents closer to greenery. The buildings occupying public green land should also be phased out within a set time period.

Cities should exert more effort to protect their historical sites through regular repair and renovation plans. Within five years, all cities should demarcate their historic and cultural buildings and districts for better protection.

Cities will further increase the development of public transportation systems, including buses and metros. By 2020, mega cities with a population greater than 5 million will have at least 40 percent of journeys completed via public transport, while that figure will be 30 percent in cities with a population greater than 1 million. In other cities it will stand at 20 percent.