Building Sustainable Cities in China: Experience, Challenges, and Prospects

Wenmei Kang (), Mou Wang, Junyan Liu (), Xianhong Lv (), Ying Zhang (), Dongshen Luo () and Dawei Wang
Additional contact information
Wenmei Kang: Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, No. 11 Changyu Street, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
Mou Wang: Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 8th Floor of the MCC Building, No. 28 Shuguangxili, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, China
Junyan Liu: Greenpeace East Asia, Room 201A, Liangdian Design Center, 94 Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100007, China
Xianhong Lv: Tianjin Agricultural University, No. 22 Jinjing Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin 300384, China
Ying Zhang: Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, 8th Floor of the MCC Building, No. 28 Shuguangxili, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100028, China
Dongshen Luo: Fujian Normal University, Cangshan Campus, No. 8 Shangsan Road, Cangshan District, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China
Dawei Wang: China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, No. 32 Chegongzhuang West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China

Chinese Journal of Urban and Environmental Studies (CJUES), 2019, vol. 07, issue 01, 1-18

Abstract: According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the sustainable development goal 11 is to “make cities and human settlement inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”. China has been making great effort in this respect. With the advancement in science and technology, the concepts of green development, environmental friendliness, and fair development are gradually moving from theories to practices, guiding the construction and development of sustainable cities in China. Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, the overall process of China’s construction of sustainable cities and development can be divided into three stages: the initial practice stage (1986–2000), the stage focusing on transformation (2001–2012), and the stage emphasizing coordinated development and social fairness (2012 to present). During the process, China has proposed and carried out a series of pilot demonstrations of sustainable cities, eco-cities, garden cities, low-carbon cities, livable cities, resilient cities, sanitary cities, sponge cities, and circular economy cities. It has achieved remarkable results with valuable experience; meanwhile, it still faces many challenges considering the current practices. With the integration of planning for the national economy and social development, rural and urban development, land use, and other aspects, as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, sustainable urban practices in China will receive more policy support and effective administrative support. As the largest developing country in the world, China’s practice in sustainable urban development undoubtedly has a broad demonstration effect and can contribute to global sustainable development.

Keywords: Sustainable cities; sustainable development; ecological civilization construction; 40 years of reform and opening up (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1142/S2345748119400025

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