On 15 August 2025, the “Opinions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting High-Quality Urban Development” were issued as a top-level policy, setting goals for 2030 and 2035. According to the policy, China’s urban development has entered a new stage, moving from large-scale expansion to the improvement of existing buildings. The document calls for a transition in five areas: improving quality of life, promoting compact and efficient land use, emphasising innovation and local circumstances, prioritising governance capacity, and strengthening coordination across sectors.
By 2030, the government aims to make progress toward building people-centered cities, with improved living standards, sustainable growth, and advanced governance, laying the groundwork for their full establishment in 2035.
The policy lays out seven priority tasks, covering urban development, growth drivers, living quality, green transition, safety and resilience, cultural elements, and governance.
Strengthening city clusters and regional urban networks
The policy places strong emphasis on integrated development within major city clusters such as the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. It encourages coordinated planning, shared infrastructure, and functional differentiation among cities. Meanwhile, medium-sized cities and county towns are expected to strengthen their role in regional economies, with reforms allowing greater administrative and fiscal flexibility. The policy also supports innovation in megacities, particularly in science, technology, and high-end manufacturing.
Developing drivers for urban development
Cities are encouraged to cultivate innovation and promote emerging industries such as smart construction, advanced manufacturing, and green technologies. The Opinion calls for the further development of the “Four New Economies1”; and plans to unlock the potential of existing urban resources. Further measures include revitalising underutilized assets such as idle land, and reforming urban financing models.
Improve housing and public services
With the new policy, the government aims to prioritise liveable housing, which is defined as “safe, comfortable, green, and smart”. Access to education, healthcare, childcare, and elderly care shall be expanded and digital infrastructure (such as 5G and data centers) will be promoted. The policy further aims to support voluntary renovation of old urban residential communities, while preserving original structures during reconstruction.
Advancing green and low-carbon transition
The policy attributes a key role to cities in achieving carbon peaking and neutrality. This involves emissions reductions at the production side, controlling high-energy-consuming and high-emission projects, a carbon footprint labelling and certification system, and energy and water efficiency in industry. It also supports energy efficient construction and retrofitting of existing buildings. Additionally, the policy encourages sustainable lifestyles and a circular economy through waste-sorting, public transportation, and the promotion of energy-saving products.
Enhancing urban safety and resilience
The policy calls for a lifecycle approach for building and infrastructure safety, including regular inspections and maintenance. It aims to strengthen disaster prevention, and to establish an emergency shelter system, ensuring that infrastructure and public facilities are resilient and adaptable.
Preserving cultural and historic assets
The policy advocates for the protection and adaptive reuse of cultural and historical heritage, while encouraging cities to to reflect local features in urban design.
Improving urban governance capabilities
The policy stresses the importance of urban digital infrastructure and the City Information Modelling (CIM), emphasizing data integration and digital management platforms. It highlights the need for coordinated urban management systems with clear responsibilities, cross-sector collaboration, and citizen engagement, while also strengthening social governance through risk monitoring, public safety, community services, and volunteer participation.
