National Land Use Management in China: An Analytical Framework

Following a review of urban land growth in China, this study found that the role of the central government in urban land growth has been changing in recent years. The once exclusive objective of ensuring urban economic development has been replaced by multi-objective considerations of economic, social, and environmental issues, addressing both urban and rural interests in the process of urban land growth. This transition has also greatly influenced the policies of city governments, which has in turn influenced local land use patterns. However, attaining these multiple objectives is becoming increasingly difficult. This paper examines the underlying causes of this shift and discusses various approaches to adjusting the future role of the central government.