China's urban planning in transition

Abstract

Significant political and economic shifts since 1949 have affected urban planning practice in China. This paper examines the transition of urban planning systems in China, using Beijing as a case study. China's master planning practice is divided into four stages – socialist master planning and anti-planning (1949–1978), reforming master planning (1979–late 1980s), urban development planning (early 1990s–2000) and comprehensive planning (2001–present). China's urban planning is closely related to its political, economic and social development. Plan making, implementation and the construction of large infrastructure and public facilities have played significant roles in China's rapid economic development. However, planning has also caused problems such as social injustice, environmental pollution and the uncoordinated development of municipal infrastructure, open spaces and human settlements.