China’s dated urban-development model must change, Beijing says at rare meeting – South China Morning Post

Report on China’s Strategic Shift in Urban Development Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

A recent Central Urban Work Conference attended by China’s senior leadership has signaled a fundamental shift in the nation’s urban development strategy. The new policy moves away from large-scale expansion towards a model focused on optimization and enhancement of existing urban resources, directly addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Policy Realignment for Sustainable Urbanization

From Expansion to Optimization: A Nod to SDG 11 and SDG 12

The directive marks a transition from a phase of rapid, incremental urban growth to one that prioritizes sustainability and resource efficiency. This approach aligns with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by focusing on improving existing urban spaces rather than consuming more land. It also supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by emphasizing the enhancement of current assets over the creation of new ones, thereby promoting more sustainable patterns of development.

Economic and Demographic Context

This strategic pivot occurs amid a persistent real estate slump and a deceleration in the rate of urbanization. With 67 percent of its population now residing in urban areas, China’s leadership acknowledges that the country has entered a “phase of stable development.” The new framework for the property sector is designed to foster sustainable economic activity, in line with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by moving away from a model that has proven increasingly volatile.

Core Objectives and SDG Integration

Enhancing Human Well-being and Inclusivity

A primary focus of the new strategy is the well-being of urban inhabitants, a core tenet of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Furthermore, the commitment to grant more urban citizenship benefits to migrant workers is a significant step towards achieving SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring more equitable access to services and opportunities within cities.

A New Model for Housing and Urban Renewal

The conference outlined key initiatives that directly support SDG 11.1, which calls for access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing for all. The focal points of this new model include:

• Renovations of urban villages.
• Repairs to dilapidated housing.
• The creation of a “new model” for property development that prioritizes quality of life and sustainability over sheer volume.

Key Strategic Pillars for Sustainable Cities

The transformation of China’s approach to city planning is built on several key pillars that reflect a commitment to the SDG agenda:

1. Focus on Human-Centric Development: Prioritizing human well-being, efficiency, and governance in all urban planning, directly contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 11.
2. Inclusive Urbanization: Integrating migrant populations more fully into urban life to reduce systemic inequalities, advancing SDG 10.
3. Sustainable Infrastructure and Housing: Concentrating efforts on urban renewal and improving existing housing stock to create more resilient and sustainable communities, fulfilling key targets of SDG 11.
4. Resilient Economic Frameworks: Establishing a new, more stable growth model for the property sector to ensure long-term economic health, as envisioned in SDG 8.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article directly addresses SDG 11 by focusing on China’s shift in urban development strategy. The declaration to move from “large-scale, incremental expansion to one focused on optimising and enhancing existing resources” is a core principle of sustainable urban planning. The emphasis on “human well-being, efficiency and governance,” along with specific actions like “renovations of urban villages and repairs to dilapidated housing,” aligns with the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• This goal is relevant due to the article’s specific mention that leadership has “vowed that migrant workers will receive more urban citizenship benefits.” This policy aims to reduce the social and economic inequalities faced by migrant workers within urban centers, promoting their inclusion and access to services, which is a key aspect of SDG 10.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

• The article touches upon SDG 8 through its discussion of creating a “new growth framework for the beleaguered property sector.” This indicates a strategic shift to ensure the long-term sustainability and stability of a major economic sector, moving away from a model that has led to a “persistent real estate slump.” This focus on a new, more stable model for economic development is connected to achieving sustainable economic growth.

Specific Targets Identified

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

   • This target is directly identified through the article’s statement that “renovations of urban villages and repairs to dilapidated housing are among the focal points.” This initiative is a clear effort to improve housing conditions and upgrade areas that may be considered informal or inadequate.

2. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.

   • The article highlights this target by describing China’s need to “transform its approach to city planning” and shift from “large-scale, incremental expansion to one focused on optimising and enhancing existing resources.” This represents a move towards more sustainable urban planning and management.

3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… origin… or other status.

   • This target is addressed by the vow that “migrant workers will receive more urban citizenship benefits.” This policy is a direct measure to promote the social and economic inclusion of the migrant population, a group often marginalized in urban settings.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator related to Target 11.1

   • The article implies an indicator for progress through its focus on housing improvements. While not explicitly stated, progress could be measured by the proportion of the urban population living in renovated urban villages or repaired housing. This is directly related to the official SDG indicator 11.1.1: “Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.” The actions described aim to reduce this proportion.

2. Indicator related to Target 11.3

   • The article mentions that “67 per cent of its 1.4 billion people now living in urban areas” and the policy shift away from “large-scale, incremental expansion.” This implies that a key metric for success would be the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate (official indicator 11.3.1). The new policy of optimizing existing resources instead of expanding aims to manage and likely lower this ratio, indicating more efficient and sustainable land use.

3. Indicator related to Target 10.2

   • The promise that “migrant workers will receive more urban citizenship benefits” suggests an implicit indicator. Progress could be tracked by the number or proportion of migrant workers who are granted access to specific urban benefits (e.g., healthcare, education, social security). This would serve as a direct measure of their increased social and economic inclusion.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: scmp.com