The Evolution of Urbanisation and Planning Practices: A Comparative Study of England and China

Abstract

The goals of the National New Urbanisation Plan (2014-2020) in China were successfully achieved by 2020. This chapter aims to provide a vision for urbanisation in China from 2021 to 2035 and shed light on the key tasks of planning practices in the next stage. Taking England as a comparator, where urbanisation has largely been completed, and the challenge nowadays is more about de- or re-urbanisation, this chapter compares the urbanisation status in China with the similar historical status in England to draw valuable lessons on the evolution of planning policies, plans and programmes. It is expected that some findings from this comparative study will inform the evolution of China’s planning practices, including: (1) transforming towards policy-based plans at the local level; (2) balancing local concerns and strategic objectives; (3) achieving long-term interests and integrative development across regions via more coordinated regional planning; (4) enhancing public participation in local planning processes via a richer and more flexible approach and more effective means of motivation and organisation; and (5) strengthening the legal force of planning by improving planning legislation and diversifying local regulations and industry standards. These findings may inform China’s territorial and spatial planning, benefitting new urbanisation from 2021 to 2035.