City Planning Review（2025.6）

♦  IMPACT OF MULTI-SCALE PERCEPTIONS OF URBAN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS ON RESIDENTS’ SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING: BASED ON THE “FOUR GOOD” CONSTRUCTION CONCEPT AND CITY HEALTH EXAMINATION DATA

Author: ZHAN Dongsheng; WANG Zichen; ZHANG Wenzhong; DANG Yunxiao; ZHOU Jiale

ABSTRACT: Drawing on the “Four Good” Construction concept ? good houses, good neighborhoods, good communities, and good urban areas ? proposed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and using data from the City Health Examination survey of 50 cities in 2023, this paper analyzes the impact of multi-scale perceptions of urban human settlements on residents’ subjective well-being from four scales: urban district, sub-district, community/neighborhood, and residence. Heterogeneity analyses are further conducted based on residents’ age, household registration, and city size. The findings indicate that urban residents’ subjective well-being in the sample cities is generally satisfactory. Perceptions of urban human settlements are moderate at the urban district scale, but relatively higher at sub-district, community/neighborhood, and residence scales. A significant positive correlation exists between perceptions of urban human settlements and residents’ subjective well-being, though the strength of this impact varies cross scales, decreasing in the following order: urban district, residence, community/neighborhood, and sub-district. Furthermore, the subjective well-being of older adults, local residents, and residents in large cities is more closely related to their perceptions of urban human settlements. This study may provide valuable insights for decision-making precisely advancing of multi-scale urban human settlements construction and effectively improving residents’ well-being.

KEYWORDS: perception of urban human settlements; multi-scale; subjective well-being; “Four Good” Construction; City Health Examination

♦ ESTABLISHING A UNIFIED URBAN-RURAL CONSTRUCTION LAND MARKET: BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF “SAME LAND, SAME RIGHTS, AND SAME PRICE”

Author: WANG Li; ZHAO Min

ABSTRACT: Against the policy background of “establishing a unified urban-rural construction land market” and “advancing the reform of the marketization of rural collective land designated for business-related construction in an orderly manner”, this paper first traces the origin of the concept of “same land, same rights, and same price” and reviews relevant literature. It then analyzes the concepts of “same land”, “same rights”, and “same price” respectively, and discusses the essence of “establishing a unified urban-rural construction land market”. The paper argues that, as a marketable commodity, construction land is spatially fixed and heterogeneous, so that it cannot be circulated across geographical boundaries, nor can it be fully replaced. Therefore, the tangible construction land market is actually a localized market, characterized by the presence of numerous “segmented” sub markets. In view of this, the core essence of establishing a unified urban-rural construction land market is to unify the fundamental market systems and rules. This includes not only establishing unified and standardized systems for land use planning and regulation as well as for land market operation, but also changing the “two-track” supply system for rural collective land designated for business-related construction. Meanwhile, mechanisms for land pricing and profit sharing should also be improved, and a standardized market for land rights and interests be established. In addition, urban and rural planning and construction should be promoted to enhance the marginal substitutability of construction land.

KEYWORDS: urban and rural construction land; unified market; fundamental system and rule; urban and rural planning and construction

♦ CONNOTATION, EVOLUTION TREND, AND SPATIAL GOVERNANCE OF POLICY ZONES IN CHINA: A STUDY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NEW STATE SPACE

Author: WANG Qixuan; L Yiping; REN Jie; SONG Yan

ABSTRACT: Drawing on the framework of new state space theory and combining with the characteristics of China’s spatial governance, this paper analyzes the multidimensional connotations and evolution trends of policy zones in the context of territorial spatial restructuring, and further explores strategies for improving their governance systems. The analysis reveals that the concept of “policy zone” primarily refers to the regions designated by the central government through the utilization of state spatial selectivity privileges to achieve reform and development objectives. This involves selecting specific regions for policy experiments, promoting spatially differentiated development, and consequently facilitating the rescaling and restructuring of the conventional territorial space. At the same time, policy zones have undergone multi stage evolution along with China’s national strategic adjustments, and the changes in territorial spatial projects and strategies have been significantly influenced by state spatial selectivity. The evolution trend shows not only common features like customization and diversification observed in the spatial evolution of Western countries, but also local features marked by the coexistence of centralization and decentralization as well as equalization and concentration. In China’s new development stage, the governance challenges faced by policy zones can be analyzed from multiple perspectives and multidimensional frameworks centered on state spatial selectivity. Through proper guidance on the practical explorations in these zones, it is hoped to provide effective paths for the modernization of spatial governance in China.

KEYWORDS: policy zone; new state space; connotation analysis; evolution trend; spatial governance

♦ TERRITORIAL PLANNING RESPONSES AND STRATEGIES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF RESOURCE ASSETS

Author: ZHAO Yi; XU Chen; WANG Zhenyu; HU Zhixing; TAO Mengzhu

ABSTRACT: Under the institutional framework of “Dual Unifications”, “preserving and increasing the value of resource assets” requires the sequential completion of a comprehensive process of resource assetization, asset capitalization, capital fund formation, and fund redistribution”. As a guide for national spatial development and a spatial blueprint for sustainable development, territorial planning can integrate all elements in the whole region and play an active role in capturing, visualizing, and enhancing the value of resource assets. This paper proposes the a “3133” response framework for territorial planning from the perspective of resource assets. With regard to natural resource assets, urban resource assets, and rural resource assets, this paper points out that territorial planning should realize the objectives of “quality improvement, stock enhancement, incremental efficiency, and value transformation” for the preservation and appreciation of resource assets. This is supported by three response pathways of “systematic resource protection, efficient asset allocation, and diversified capital operation”. Specific measures will be implemented in the three stages of “planning formulation, planning implementation, and monitoring and evaluation”. Through comprehensive, multi-dimensional, and targeted embedded planning responses, the resource asset effects of planning could be realized.

KEYWORDS: resource assets; value preservation and appreciation; territorial planning responses; framework and strategies

♦ ASSESSMENT ON THE POTENTIAL OF IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN TERRITORIAL PLANNING: A CASE STUDY OF EAST CHINA

Author: CHENG Kexin; WANG Zhifang; ZHANG Xinyuan; PENG Jinfu; JIAN Yuqing

ABSTRACT: Territorial planning is a crucial method for China to implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is currently a lack of exploration into measuring the consistency between planning objectives and sustainable development goals in China. To clarify the potential for integrating SDGs into territorial planning, qualitative research and statistical analysis methods are used to evaluate the coverage, transmission, and execution of SDGs in territorial planning compilation guidelines at different levels. The results indicate that the coverage of territorial planning compilation guidelines for different SDGs is uneven, but the overall transmission is effective. The overall implementation level of the guidelines for the compilation of urban and county-level territorial planning is the highest, with a focus on goals related to urban construction. In terms of regional or global issues, the provincial guidelines have the highest implementation level. Research provides valuable insights and recommendations for more scientific formulation and implementation of territorial planning, while promoting the implementation of SDGs in China.

KEYWORDS: territorial planning; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); qualitative research; grounded theory; text analysis; statistical analysis

♦ POPULATION PROJECTION IN TERRITORIAL PLANNING: AN ANALYSIS BASED ON HISTORICAL MATERIALISM

Author: CHEN Hongzheng; WANG Hongyang

ABSTRACT: Understanding the relationship between population and socio-economic development is a key prerequisite for improving the effectiveness of population projection. Based on the fundamental principles of historical materialism, this paper develops a historical analytical framework of “consistency in development environment, development logic, laws of population, planning logic, and population projection”. Through a historical analysis of population projection since 1949, the paper points out that with changes in development environment, shifts in development logic and planning logic will, to varying degrees, affect the laws of population, thereby altering the thoughts and methods of population projection. This paper proposes that population projection should break away from path dependence. It re examines the laws of population, provides a structural explanation for the relationship between the development logic and the laws of population during the deep transitional period, and points out that the constraints of population on development and its correspondence to development are deepening. On this basis, the paper concludes that population projection is the unification of the inherent laws of population development and the paths and outcomes of socio-economic development, and proposes directions for the transformation of population projection from cognitive, conceptual, and methodological perspectives, with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness.

KEYWORDS: population projection; laws of population; development logic; deep transitional period; territorial planning; historical materialism

♦ RESEARCH ON THE PRACTICE AND MECHANISM OF SELF-INITIATED REGENERATION OF ZHEGONG NEW VILLAGE

Author: WANG Xiaoyan; ZHAO Yujia; ZHANG Jiali

ABSTRACT: As the era of urban regeneration ushered in a key turning point for stock land optimization, the self-initiated regeneration model has effectively addressed the challenges of old urban neighborhood renovation. Its distinctive approaches - such as resident coordination, project approval, and land financing - represent a model innovation well-suited to the current context of stock land optimization, and can effectively facilitate the implementation of urban regeneration projects in old residential neighborhoods. This paper takes the self-initiated regeneration project of Zhegong New Village in Hangzhou as a case study. Using the “external variable-action mechanism” analytical framework of institutional analysis and development (IAD), it identifies the key factors contributing to the project’s success from the perspectives of influencing variables and action mechanisms. These key factors include: government policy support, project planning and design, and residents’ characteristics. The paper also summarizes the key mechanisms of self-initiated regeneration model, including a coordination mechanism among government departments, a consultation mechanism within the acquaintance-based community, and the livelihood-oriented financing mechanism. These mechanisms offer valuable insights for advancing self-initiated regeneration in old urban residential neighborhoods.

KEYWORDS: self-initiated regeneration; collaboration mechanism; consultation mechanism; financing mechanism; Zhegong New Village

♦ REGENERATION MECHANISM OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG: POLICY REGULATION AND MULTI-PARTY SYNERGY

Author: CHEN Hao; YU Jing; GU Xuanyuan

ABSTRACT: With a high degree of marketization and in-depth public participation, Hong Kong has become a representative model of tripartite synergy among the government, market, and society in the field of urban regeneration in China. Dynamic and targeted policy regulation is an effective tool for Hong Kong to cope with industrial transformation and planning failures, with the key to synergy lying in the consensus of interests and checks and balances among multiple parties. The two rounds of industrial building regeneration policies introduced in 2009 and 2018 significantly stimulated enthusiasm for both redevelopment and whole-building renovation, and have achieved significant socio-economic benefits. An analysis of 301 cases from 2010 to 2023 reveals that joint decision-making among the government, market, and society played a vital role in shaping and revising regeneration policies. The iterative and dynamic interactions among these parties profoundly influenced the speed, scale, and modes of regeneration response. Based on a phased analysis of policy orientations and regeneration outcomes, this study focuses on the interaction patterns and mechanisms among multiple parities, i.e., a government regulation mechanism responsive to market demand, a market response mechanism driven by dual costs, and a social monitoring mechanism based on dispute feedback. On this basis, the paper explores potential directions for optimizing industrial land regeneration policies in mainland China.

KEYWORDS: urban regeneration; industrial land regeneration; industrial buildings; policy regulation; multi-party synergy; Hong Kong

♦ FROM “EXTERNAL TRUSTEESHIP” TO “ENDOGENOUS BENEFIT SHARING”: A RELATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON MODEL ANALYSIS OF PRIVATE CAPITAL-AIDED RURAL CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES IN SOUTHERN ZHEJIANG

Author: XIE Zhaoyu; WANG Guoguang; BAI Xue; SHAO Yiran; MENG Qinlin

ABSTRACT: Enterprises’ participation in rural construction practices is often risky due to the concepts of “profit maximization” and “priority to efficiency”, as well as practices such as “land enclosure” and “large scale external rent-seeking”. Theory and experience show that “relationship” has become the starting point of risk and the focus of research, and the formation of a good social relationship in the local community after the intervention of the enterprise is crucial for achieving a win-win situation and sustainable development of the local community. The paper takes the enterprise-led “whole village operation” in Xu’aodi as an example to show the concept of “benefit sharing” and its mechanism and practice, which is promoted by the enterprise at the relationship level, and to identify the causes, practical effectiveness and potential challenges of the new model. The study shows that the “Xu’aodi model” is the result of coupling of multiple conditions, the emergence and root of which in the specific economic and social environment of southern Zhejiang has its inevitability and specificity. At the same time, compared with the popular “external trusteeship” relationship and its model, the model of “endogenous benefit sharing” shows significant advantages and multiple values. The study brings many insights for private enterprises and private capital in supporting distinctive local practices and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

KEYWORDS: capital-aided rural practice; benefit sharing; rural social relations; the Xu’aodi practice; new model

♦ CONSTRUCTION OF IMPLEMENTATION-ORIENTED RESPONSIVE URBAN DESIGN PATH FOR KEY AREAS: REFLECTIONS ON THE PLANNING PROCESS OF THE BEIJING SUB-CENTER RAILWAY STATION AREA

Author: ZHAO Qingnan; LU Lin

ABSTRACT: With the goal of creating a model area of station-city integration, the planning content of the Beijing Sub-Center Railway Station area has been gradually deepened through qualitative, quantitative, and form-design approaches. A multi-level transmission and response mechanism for urban spatial vision has been established, which is centered on multi-scenario combined analysis, multi-disciplinary collaborative research, and multi-dimensional design verification. It aims to effectively address the challenges facing the station-city integration area, including the inheritance of urban culture, the creation of humanized spaces, the establishment of urban landmarks, and the reconstruction of transport systems. Through measures such as conducting step-by-step verification, breaking invisible boundaries, and innovating safeguard mechanisms, the implementation of the entire process from planning to design, and then to construction has been strengthened, bridging the gap between the expectations of different stakeholders, including “decision makers” in the early planning stage, “implementers” in the middle stage, and “users” in the later stage.

KEYWORDS: urban design; key area; planning implementation; planning practice

♦ BUREAUCRATIZATION OF NATIVE HEADMAN AND EXPANSION OF HUAXIA DOMINANT ARTIFICIAL LANDSCAPE IN GUIYANG

Author: LIU Weibin; ZHANG Zhenhua; WANG Lumin

ABSTRACT: During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the bureaucratization of native headman facilitated the expansion of the Huaxia-styled artificial landscape elements in a more systematic form in border areas, leading to large-scale changes in the landscape of local settlements. This expansion is not only a special chapter in China’s urban construction history, but also an important window to demonstrate the core concerns and values inherent in the Huaxia-styled artificial landscape under specific conditions. In view that Guiyang was the first provincial capital in southwest China where the government of the Ming Dynasty initiated the bureaucratization process, this paper analyzes the construction process of the city’s landscape elements, such as city walls, ancestral temples, administrative buildings, Confucian schools, and educational facilities, which underwent a transition from the “native headman-led” to the “government official-led” period. Meanwhile, in combination with the bureaucratization process, the paper further probes into the progressive concerns, comprehensive approaches, and systematic elements characterizing the expansion of the Huaxia-styled artificial landscape.

KEYWORDS: Huaxia dominant artificial landscape; expansion; bureaucratization of native headman; Guiyang City

♦ GENE IDENTIFICATION AND DIVERSITY FORMATION MECHANISM OF LANDSCAPE PATTERNS: A CASE STUDY ON TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS IN BA-SHU AREA

Author: LI Xu; QU Xuanzi; HAN Xiao; LI Ling

ABSTRACT: Studying the characteristics and generation mechanism of landscape patterns and revealing the construction wisdom of traditional settlements are key to the inheritance of regional characteristics. Taking 54 national-level historic and cultural towns in the Ba-shu area as examples, this paper develops an analytical framework encompassing spatial forms and their influencing factors, analyzes the universality behind the diversity, and then identifies three spatial genes of landscape patterns. It argues that the function of settlements and the natural environment are the determinants of the spatial gene of landscape patterns. The paper also analyzes the expression forms of spatial genes under the influence of natural environments and social cultures, to explore the formation of diversity. It is believed that the flexible orientations of the settlements contribute to the diversity of spatial forms, and that the symbolic imagery and landscape elements reflect a preference for a balanced central form, as well as an aesthetic interest of poetry and painting. The combination of form and meaning further shapes the unique and rich spatial forms of landscape patterns. Currently, it is still worth learning the wisdom of building human settlements that is based on circumstances, making good use of energy, adapting to local conditions and climate, and combining form and meaning.

KEYWORDS: traditional settlements; landscape patterns; spatial gene; diversity formation mechanism; Ba-shu area