The Path of Urbanization with Chinese Characteristics

Based on China’s national conditions and in line with the requirements of the scientific development concept, human-centered, comprehensively developed, diversified, progressive, intensive, harmonious, green, low-carbon, and sustainable urbanization is emphasized. It is a new type of urbanization with Chinese characteristics and an important part of the socialist path with Chinese characteristics. In 2002, the 16th CPC National Congress clearly stated, “We should adhere to the coordinated development of large, medium and small cities and small towns, and take the path of urbanization with Chinese characteristics. In 2007, the 17th CPC National Congress further listed the “path of urbanization with Chinese characteristics” and “the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics”, “the path of new industrialization with Chinese characteristics”, “the path of agricultural modernization with Chinese characteristics”, and the “path of political development of socialism with Chinese characteristics” as the basic content of the “socialist path with Chinese characteristics” with equal importance, and clearly pointed out, “We should take the path of urbanization with Chinese characteristics, and promote the coordination of large, medium and small cities and small towns in accordance with the principles of overall urban and rural planning, reasonable layout, land saving, complete functions, and the large ones helping the smaller.”

The “Decisions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Several Major Issues of Comprehensively Deepening Reform” adopted by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stated, “We should persist in taking the path of new urbanization with Chinese characteristics, push forward urbanization with people at the core, promote the coordinated development among large, medium and small cities and small towns, and the integrated development of industries and cities, and give impetus to the coordinated advancement of urbanization and new rural construction. Optimize the urban spatial structure and management pattern, and enhance the overall carrying capacity of the city.” In 2012, the Economic Work Conference of the Party’s Central Committee clearly stated, “the idea and principles of ecological civilization should be fully integrated into the whole process of urbanization, taking a new path of intensive, smart, green, and low-carbon urbanization.”