Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development Holds Provincial-Level Spatial Planning Conference

　　To implement the requirements of the Central Committee’s decisions on comprehensively deepening reform, the Central Conference on Urbanization, and the Central Conference on Urban Work; to share experiences and best practices in provincial-level spatial planning across relevant regions; and to explore ways to further enhance the role of urban–rural planning and advance the establishment of a comprehensive spatial planning system, the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development convened a provincial-level spatial planning conference in Kunming, Yunnan Province, on December 2, 2016. The meeting was attended by Chen Hao, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Governor of Yunnan Province; Huang Yan, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development; and Liu Huiyan, Vice Governor of Yunnan Province. Heads of the housing and urban–rural development departments of Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan, Yunnan, Tibet, Shaanxi, and Ningxia provinces (autonomous regions), as well as representatives from the Office of the Planning Management Committee of the Ningxia Autonomous Region, also attended and delivered remarks sharing their respective experiences and insights.

　　The meeting fully affirmed the achievements made by various localities in actively implementing the central government’s directives, taking proactive steps to spearhead provincial-level spatial planning, and vigorously exploring the establishment of a spatial planning system. Specifically: first, maintaining a high-level strategic perspective and acting swiftly to advance spatial planning at the provincial level; second, leveraging urban–rural planning as a foundation to develop a unified master plan for spatial planning; third, strengthening inter-departmental collaboration and innovating working models; and fourth, focusing on planning management and implementation while exploring the development of spatial information platforms and reforms to management mechanisms.

　　In his address, Secretary Chen Hao emphasized that Yunnan Province attaches great importance to urban and rural planning, has earnestly studied and implemented the spirit of the Central Urban Work Conference, adopted a problem-oriented approach to strengthen planning efforts, and, in accordance with the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development’s major initiatives to advance planning reform, established a Provincial Urban and Rural Planning Bureau at the provincial level. As a result, a working framework has been essentially put in place, featuring unified coordination and guidance by the Provincial Planning Commission and close vertical linkage among planning committees at three administrative levels. With regard to pilot projects in planning, building on the “multi-plan integration” initiative in Dali City identified by the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development, Yunnan Province has designated 23 counties (districts and county-level cities) to concurrently launch provincial-level “multi-plan integration” pilots and has subsequently issued a series of government documents and technical guidelines. At the provincial level, the “multi-plan integration” initiative has served as a lever for reforming the province’s planning systems and mechanisms as well as its administrative approval system, improving planning coordination mechanisms, and gradually establishing a spatial planning system that covers both urban and rural areas, clearly delineates responsibilities, and ensures seamless vertical alignment. Secretary Chen Hao pointed out that provincial-level spatial planning is the foundational guarantee for advancing ecological civilization, the strategic guide for building livable cities, and an important pathway for improving the governance system and enhancing governance capacity.

　　Vice Minister Huang Yan pointed out that, over the past several decades, China’s urban–rural planning has centered on spatial development control and construction land management, gradually developing a comprehensive and effective institutional framework grounded in solid practical experience. In the new era, it is essential to further advance urban–rural planning reform in accordance with the requirements set forth at the Central Urban Work Conference and the Central Reform Plan for the Ecological Civilization System. Provincial-level spatial planning serves as a crucial link in the national spatial planning system, bridging higher-level and lower-level planning. Therefore, the urban–rural planning authorities of all provinces (and autonomous regions) must implement the strategic directives of the state, build consensus on provincial (or regional) development, take into account the significant heterogeneity among provinces (and autonomous regions) as well as the objective laws governing urbanization in each jurisdiction, strike an appropriate balance between urbanization and various types of protected areas, clearly delineate planning powers and responsibilities between the provincial level and cities and counties, and ensure effective planning, construction, and management.

　　Vice Minister Huang Yan urged urban and rural planning authorities to take enhancing the nation’s spatial governance capacity as their fundamental goal, to proactively assume responsibility and pursue innovation, to actively seek collaboration with relevant departments, to address existing shortcomings and lay a solid foundation, and to make positive contributions to the reform of spatial planning.

　　Vice Minister Huang Yan pointed out that provincial urban–rural planning authorities should promptly establish a provincial spatial planning information management platform, leverage the platform to strengthen the review, evaluation, and implementation monitoring of plans, and comprehensively and systematically advance reform of planning work. They should also intensify research on spatial classification, develop technical standards for delineating the “three zones and three lines,” with particular emphasis on studying the management systems, rules, and policies applicable to non-construction land; further refine the tiered management system for planning; reinforce the planning management functions of provincial urban–rural planning authorities; improve the top-down planning approval and oversight mechanisms; and enhance the comprehensive, territory-wide regulatory role of the city’s master plan.

　　Following the meeting, Vice Minister Huang Yan and Vice Governor Liu Huiyan signed the Cooperation Agreement on Provincial Spatial Planning between the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly establish a ministerial–provincial consultation mechanism for cooperation, reform and innovate the mechanisms for the preparation and management of provincial spatial plans, streamline the division of powers in spatial management, clarify the tools and methods for spatial governance, promote synergy among various types of spatial plans, address major challenges in the integration of multiple planning frameworks at the provincial level, strengthen strategic guidance for the coordinated development of production, living, and ecological spaces, and establish and improve Yunnan Province’s spatial planning system and implementation management framework, thereby providing a replicable and scalable model for provincial spatial planning work.