Controlling Urban Expansion: China Case Study

China has strong restriction on urban expansion as the growing concern of farmland loss that threatens their food security. There are various ways that have been implemented in urban areas in China to limit land conversion to urban areas throughout the years. One example is the Quota System, that puts a cap on land conversion in terms of location, rime and construction purpose. This system has been stablished since the late 1990s and has been updated by the addition of the requirement to replenish the land that has been converted  to make sure that the same amount and an equivalent quality of farmland which was lost due to urban expansion would have to be reclaimed. 

Another example of urban expansion forms is the Urban District. This is a type of city expansion that take advantage of infill development. It redevelops areas to accommodate growth tapping the undeveloped land within or in-between built-up land. Finally, there are also urban expansion forms that includes the redevelopment of informal settlement. In this development, new homes can be built under the collective landownership. Other development can include in situ upgrading the physical environment, providing employment, and strengthening the social fabric.

Reference:

Schiappacasse, P., Müller, B., Cai, J., & Ma, E. (2021). Managing Urban Expansion in Europe: New Impulses for People-Centred Development in China?. In Towards Socially Integrative Cities (Vol. 13). MDPI, Basel.

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