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Nature-Based Solutions for Transforming Sustainable Urban Development in China

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Green Infrastructure in Chinese Cities

Part of the book series: Urban Sustainability ((US))

Abstract

Urban sustainability transitions imply the co-evolution of the integrated social, ecological, and technical systems and can be driven by innovations initiated by different urban actors, both public and private. Drawing insights from sustainability transitions and urban governance literature, this chapter explores the potentials of nature-based solutions in transforming urban sustainable development in China, which has been characterized by a state-dominated top-down steering mechanism and a technocratic planning and development pattern. Currently, state-led and modernisation-guided urban sustainability programs and their pilot projects dominate both public and academic discourses on the efforts and promises for a sustainable urban future in China. This chapter argues that with few actual changes in the governance system that largely excludes the civil society and private sector organisations in decision-making and practices, these efforts often fail their promises in advancing transformational changes in urban China. The rush to build ‘eco’, ‘low-carbon, ‘smart’, or ‘green’ cities even generated unintended and negative outcomes on local ecology and community. The rising concept of nature-based solutions encompasses multi-actor dynamics, various forms of interventions, and multiple benefits for people and nature. Its inclusiveness and multi-functionality could draw wider attention and support for non-state-led innovations across Chinese cities, and thus, open up a great opportunity for promoting urban sustainability transitions in China.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Bulletin on China’s Land Greening in 2020. Available online: http://www.forestry.gov.cn/main/393/20210312/175043478886085.html (accessed on 12 June 2021).

  2. 2.

    State Council Information Office of the People’s Republic of China (23 June 2016) President Xi calls for building ‘green, healthy, intelligent and peaceful’ Silk Road [Online] http://www.scio.gov.cn/32618/Document/1481477/1481477.htm.

  3. 3.

    This concept was put forward by Hu Jintao, then General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), during the fifth plenary session of 16th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in October 2005.

  4. 4.

    This concept was first put forward by Hu Jintao at the 17th National Congress of the CPC in 2007.

  5. 5.

    For example, the 11th Five-Year (2006–2010) Plan for National Economic and Social Development stipulates a 20% reduction in energy use per unit GDP between 2005 to 2010, and doubling per capita GDP between 2000 and 2010. In 2008, China’s State Council announced the National Land Use Master Plan (2006–2020), which sets stringent ‘red lines’ for protection of arable land: a minimum of 121.2 million and 120.3 million hectares by 2010 and 2020, respectively.

  6. 6.

    http://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/zj/wj/200910/t20091022_172195.htm.

  7. 7.

    http://www.scio.gov.cn/32344/32345/39620/40845/xgzc40851/Document/1658288/1658288.htm.

  8. 8.

    A revised Indices was introduced in 2007 with stricter standards. Available online: https://www.mee.gov.cn/gkml/zj/wj/200910/t20091022_172492.htm (accessed on 2 June 2021).

  9. 9.

    http://www.tianjineco-city.com/static/web/mobile/en/singapore2_2.html?lang=english.

  10. 10.

    See https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/21563/discover (accessed on 6 June 2021).

  11. 11.

    See https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29507 (accessed on 6 June 2011).

  12. 12.

    See https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29441 (accessed on 6 June 2011).

  13. 13.

    See https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29510 (accessed on 6 June 2021).

  14. 14.

    See https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29513 (accessed on 6 June 2011).

  15. 15.

    See more details about the project in Qiang and Yu (2019).

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  1. Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China

    Linjun Xie

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  1. Linjun Xie
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Correspondence to Linjun Xie .

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  1. University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China

    Ali Cheshmehzangi

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Xie, L. (2022). Nature-Based Solutions for Transforming Sustainable Urban Development in China. In: Cheshmehzangi, A. (eds) Green Infrastructure in Chinese Cities. Urban Sustainability. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-9174-4_17

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