266
W. Yang
High development intensity does not guarantee satisfactory development effects.
For years to come, we should pay special attention to development gains per unit of
land area rather than how much land is developed.
According to Professor Zhou Muzhi, China has overemphasized the pressure of
population size and density on the urban environment and infrastructure in urban
governance while neglecting that a dense population is an important basis of a city’s
development vitality. In fact, a high population density is important to economic and
social development, and its negative effects on the urban environment are not as great
as people worry about.
Urban administrators can draw inspiration from the studies on urban spatial development in China by Professor Zhou Muzhi and Cloud River Urban Research Institute
headed by him. The basic reality of a large population, relatively little land available,
and limited spaces determine that China must put into good use of every inch of our
territory and take the path of intensive spatial development.
9 Spatial Planning
Spatial planning provides guidelines for spatial development. It specifies the criteria
for various development and construction activities and constraints on development
behavior.
In China, spatial planning involves the state, provincial, and municipal/county
levels, where planning at a lower level should conform to and serve that at a higher
level. Unified land classification standards should be adopted in planning at different
levels; according to functional zoning, land is divided into urban space, agricultural
space, and ecological space, with dedicated space reserved for infrastructure. The
boundaries of urban construction areas, industrial zones, and rural settlements should
be clarified, and the boundaries for the protection of farmland, forests, grasslands,
rivers, lakes, and wetlands should be delineated as well. In addition, the leading role
and authority of plans should be enhanced.
It is easier said than done. No matter how difficult it is, we will remain resolute
in accomplishing what we have envisioned.
10 Spatial Governance
China is now deepening reform on all fronts.
The purpose of reform is to modernize the country’s governance, of which spatial
governance is an essential part. Spatial governance refers to efforts to achieve a
balance between the economy, population, resources, and environment in a specific
space.
Spatial governance requires legal backing. We should draw up the law on territorial
space development and protection, revise the Land Administration Law, Grassland
W. Yang
High development intensity does not guarantee satisfactory development effects.
For years to come, we should pay special attention to development gains per unit of
land area rather than how much land is developed.
According to Professor Zhou Muzhi, China has overemphasized the pressure of
population size and density on the urban environment and infrastructure in urban
governance while neglecting that a dense population is an important basis of a city’s
development vitality. In fact, a high population density is important to economic and
social development, and its negative effects on the urban environment are not as great
as people worry about.
Urban administrators can draw inspiration from the studies on urban spatial development in China by Professor Zhou Muzhi and Cloud River Urban Research Institute
headed by him. The basic reality of a large population, relatively little land available,
and limited spaces determine that China must put into good use of every inch of our
territory and take the path of intensive spatial development.
9 Spatial Planning
Spatial planning provides guidelines for spatial development. It specifies the criteria
for various development and construction activities and constraints on development
behavior.
In China, spatial planning involves the state, provincial, and municipal/county
levels, where planning at a lower level should conform to and serve that at a higher
level. Unified land classification standards should be adopted in planning at different
levels; according to functional zoning, land is divided into urban space, agricultural
space, and ecological space, with dedicated space reserved for infrastructure. The
boundaries of urban construction areas, industrial zones, and rural settlements should
be clarified, and the boundaries for the protection of farmland, forests, grasslands,
rivers, lakes, and wetlands should be delineated as well. In addition, the leading role
and authority of plans should be enhanced.
It is easier said than done. No matter how difficult it is, we will remain resolute
in accomplishing what we have envisioned.
10 Spatial Governance
China is now deepening reform on all fronts.
The purpose of reform is to modernize the country’s governance, of which spatial
governance is an essential part. Spatial governance refers to efforts to achieve a
balance between the economy, population, resources, and environment in a specific
space.
Spatial governance requires legal backing. We should draw up the law on territorial
space development and protection, revise the Land Administration Law, Grassland