Germany and China are protagonists and role models for a successful urbanisation process offering significant scope for transformation and innovation. As many cities and local governments take steps to become low-carbon and climate-resilient, they face common challenges to address sustainability and climate goals.
This report examines the role of spatial planning in promoting low-carbon urbanisation. It outlines policy foundations and progress in low-carbon urban development in China, explores the advantages of spatial planning, and draws on international best practices. The report evaluates municipal planning policies and recommends strategic pathways for key areas to establish a comprehensive low-carbon system aligned with China’s dual carbon goals.
The report assesses the practical progress of spatial planning in addressing climate change within the European Union and selected member states. It analyses mitigation and adaptation strategies, outlining methods and key aspects for their integration. Based on EU experiences, the report provides recommendations for effectively incorporating climate change considerations into China’s spatial planning system.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) of China has released the “Implementation Opinions on Solidly Promoting the Construction of a Beautiful China through the Protection and Sustainable Utilisation of Natural Resources” on 5 August 2024, proposing 28 measures for the improvement of the national spatial development pattern and the conservation of natural resources. The policy emphasises that protecting natural resources is an inherent requirement for “building a Beautiful China” (strategic concept of the Chinese government emphasising effective ecological protection, sustainable resource use, and harmonious coexistence with nature). Main points mentioned are the improvement of the national spatial planning system, the establishment of a system of natural protected area with national parks, and the strengthening of energy and resource management.
Earlier this year, the Urban-Act project set up a working group to promote climate-resilient urban spatial planning through technical research and pilot demonstrations. On 29 August 2024, the project organised a technical workshop in Beijing to discuss the progress made in the pilot cities and areas together with the working group. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), GIZ, the project’s implementing partners, natural resources and planning bureaus of various cities, as well as a group of Chinese experts in the field of urban planning who provided guidance and advice.
From July 21 to 25, 2024, a group of six Chinese e-bus and e-taxi operation experts from Shenzhen Bus Group visited the Indonesian cities of Padang and Medan, pilot cities of the Urban-Act project in Indonesia. Organised by GIZ China and GIZ Indonesia, this visit facilitated expert exchange and thus optimise local public transportation systems and promote climate-friendly transportation solutions. Through site visits and discussions with local authorities and agencies, the experts discussed bus electrification and supportive infrastructure.
The “Guidelines for Resilient Urban Planning and Land Policy with Integrated Dual-use (Routine-Emergency) Functions” require full play to the strategic guidance and rigid constraint role of national spatial planning in the construction of resilient cities, the improvement of public infrastructure for both Routine-Emergency use, to create livable, resilient, and smart cities.
The visit of a group of Chinese academics and experts to Bangkok from 12 to 14 June 2024 marked the first in-person visit by the Chinese partners involved in the Urban-Act project since its inception in 2022. The delegation comprised academic and technical experts from Tongji University, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation (NCSC) under the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), the Shanghai Urban Planning & Design Research Institute (SUPDRI), and the National Climate Center (NCC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).
The General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued “The Opinions on Strengthening Ecological Environment Zoning and Control” (hereinafter referred to as the Opinions) on March 17th. It states that ecological environment zoning and control is an important measure to enhance the modernization of ecological environment governance, to ensure ecological functions and improve environmental quality.
On 5 February 2024, the Ministry of Natural Resources issued the “Overall Plan for Enhancing the Digital Governance Capability of Natural Resources”. It supports the utilisation of new information technologies such as cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, etc. to build “one network, one map, and national spatial basic information platform” for natural resources.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Vimeo. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou need to load content from reCAPTCHA to submit the form. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Instagram. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Google Maps. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Google Maps. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from Mapbox. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from OpenStreetMap. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationYou are currently viewing a placeholder content from X. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More Information