China City Planning Review (No.4, 2012)

♦Urban Land Use Classification Linked to Planning Management 

Author: QI Dongjin, ZHOU Jianyun 

Abstract: By analyzing the applicability of the new Code for Classification of Urban Land Use and Planning Standards of Development Land from the angle of planning management, this paper points out the conflicts between the planning and land use management institutions. Referring to the experience of land use control in the US and the UK through zoning and case law respectively, this paper puts forward that the urban land use classification should take into consideration the characteristics of the actual urban planning system and the possibility of mixed land use due to the uncertainty of urban development, and be linked to the institutions of planning and land supply management. Keywords: land use classification; planning management; mixed land use

♦Citizenization of Native Villagers after Redeveloped Urban Village: A Case Study of Liede Community in Guangzhou 

Author: LIU Yuqi, LIU Ye, LI Zhigang Abstract Based on qualitative data from in-depth interviews, participative observation, and literature study, this paper aims to get insights into the patterns and process of the citizenization of native villagers living in Liede Community, which is the first redeveloped urban village in Guangzhou. Investigation on villagers’ citizenization level is carried out to examine how the redevelopment project affects villagers’ citizenization. Our finding reveals that the redevelopment project has improved villagers’ living conditions and income levels remarkably, has facilitated the mixed housing patterns of diversified social groups, and has increased their chances to be integrated into urban social life. Nevertheless, as villagers kept their traditional mode of thinking, behavioral habits, and lifestyles, the citizenization process made little progress in terms of land ownership, management mode, mode of livelihood, and citizen identity. Therefore, the Liede redevelopment project has turned out to be a “passive citizenization” process, i.e., villagers merely received socio-economic benefits from the redevelopment passively but remained isolated from the socio-economic and cultural system of the city. Finally, this paper proposes some policy suggestions to promote the citizenization from both conceptual and practical perspectives. 

Keywords: redevelopment of urban village; citizenization; social integration; Guangzhou

♦A Study on Traffic Congestion in Metropolises of China from the Perspective of People’s Livelihood 

Author: YANG Xiangqian

Abstract: The traffic congestion is not only a social problem but also an issue about livelihood. To solve this problem, the key is to change the traffic model from “automobile-based” to “people-oriented” with focus on fair road rights and equalization of public service resources. Based on the understanding above, this paper puts forward some policy recommendations such as prior road right of public transport, limiting the use of private cars by economic levers, development of multi-level public transport system, improving slow traffic system, advocating green travel and friendly driving, achieving equalization of public resources, and so on. 

Keywords: urban traffic congestion; livelihood; equity; road right; public transport; green travel

♦Relevance Between City Size and Traffic Congestion and Its Policy Options Author: SONG Bo, ZHAO Min

Abstract: The study finds that, the traffic congestion will worsen along with the expansion of city size, if the factors of traffic structure, proportion of urban road area, spatial distribution of city traveling, and occurrence intensity of travel are fixed. Therefore, the need for certain public policies and intervention of urban transportation is related with city size. It is an unavoidable and urgent task for the governments of large and supper cities to formulate and implement scientific transportation policies in order to guarantee the operation efficiency of urban transportation system. 

Keywords: city size; traffic congestion; policy measures

♦Trapped in Tremendous Congestion: Can Beijing Find a Road Towards Harmonious and Sustainable Transport? 

Author: Felix Creutzig, ZHOU Jiangping, Maximilian Thess, Michael Replogle

Abstract: Beijing’s congestion and air pollution is infamous among local residents and visitors. While rising car ownership demonstrates increased material well-being, and is a show-case of the Chinese economic miracle, car driving in the dense urban fabric of Beijing deteriorates the efficiency of transport, local public health and quality of life, and contributes to human-made global warming. The social disbenefits of significantly increased use of cars in Beijing most likely outweigh the benefits of increased driving. Beijing municipal authorities are clearly aware of this challenge, and many policy instruments are being implemented to reduce the burden of car traffic for residents and transport users alike. While partial improvements are visible, current measures have not been sufficient to manage growing transport demand. Absent further initiatives, present trends point to further deterioration in transport system efficiency and quality of life. This paper demonstrates the potential benefits of more effective transport demand management, integrated public transit provision, land use planning and car pricing, which together could help make Beijing a city of harmonious and sustainable transport. 

Keywords: Beijing; traffic congestion; emission; management; policy

♦Analysis on Beijing’s Policy of Restricting Motor Vehicle Usage① 

Author：LIU Jian, ZUO Xiaoxuan

Abstract: Along with the increase of car ownership, the problem of traffic congestion has appeared more and more serious since the 1990s in Beijing. In order to deal with the problem of traffic congestion, the policy of restricting motor vehicle usage, as a measure of transportation demand management by decreasing the total number of on-road motor vehicles, was firstly implemented in 2006 in trial, which continued from 2008 during the period of Olympic Games up to day. Starting with an analysis on policy motivation, this paper describes the practices of restricting motor vehicle usage in Beijing since 2006, analyzes the effects on the performance of the city’s transportation, and concludes after a comparative analysis that, in spite of the positive effects on relieving the traffic congestion, the policy of restricting motor vehicle usage could only constitute a temporary measure of traffic demand management, rather than a fundamental one, because the comprehensive effects would decrease along with the continuous growth of motor vehicle possession. Keywords: Beijing; transportation demand management; measure of restricting motor vehicle usage

♦Anyang: A Case Study of Foreign University Involvement in Chinese Sustainable New Town Planning 

Author: Menelaos Triantafillou, David J. Edelman

Abstract: Over the last ten to fifteen years, planning and design professionals in the United States and Europe have increasingly been engaged in consulting work in China. Major Architectural & Engineering firms from the United Kingdom and the United States, for example, have been opening offices in Beijing and Shanghai. Recently, the concern with sustainable urban development and China’s policies to alleviate pressures of urbanization has been an engine for commissions for new town plans and city expansion plans across China’s provinces. During the 2007 – 2009 academic years, the School of Planning at the University of Cincinnati prepared a conceptual plan for the expansion of the City of Anyang through a collaborative agreement between the city and it. The experience of the faculty leading this project with field work, the planning process, plan preparation, and the engagement of students has revealed some important issues that need to be addressed by planning schools and planning professionals engaged in planning in provincial China. Thus, this paper is a case study of foreign university involvement in Chinese sustainable new town planning, and the following sections discuss the Anyang Eastern New Town Conceptual Plan, identify the key issues regarding preparing the plan, contracting and payment, data availability, data sharing and field investigation, and finally discuss the lessons learned regarding the planning process, project program and expectations. 

Keywords: sustainable new town planning; planning in provincial China; Anyang Eastern New Town Conceptual Plan; issues in Chinese planning

♦Discrimination on the Concept of Historic City in China 

Author: WANG Jinghui 

Abstract: In 1982, the State Council announced a list of historic cities in China, aiming to set up a conservation measure to conserve the cultural heritages from the perspective of a city. The historic city is a concept in relation to urban administrative governance. Its conservation scope and specific contents should be defined in conservation planning. Since the conservation planning of historic city is a part of the city master planning, its planning area should be the same as that in the master planning, with focus on the central urban area. The conservation planning of a historic city should define its objects in view of the interconnection between city history and culture and thus specify its conservation scope and contents accordingly. 

Keywords: historic city; concept of historic city; conservation planning