General Office of the CPC Central Committee and General Office of the State Council Issue Opinions on Promoting Green Development of Urban and Rural Constructio

Source: Xinhua

Recently, the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and The General Office of the State Council issued the Opinions on Promoting the Green Development of Urban and Rural Construction, and issued a notice requiring all regions and departments to conscientiously implement it in light of actual conditions.

The main contents of the Opinions on Promoting the Green Development of Urban and Rural Construction are as follows.

Urban and rural development is an important vehicle for promoting green development and building a beautiful China. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China's living environment has continued to improve, the level of housing has increased significantly, but there are still problems such as lack of integrity, systematic deficiencies, low livability, and insufficient inclusiveness, and the construction mode of massive construction, massive consumption, and massive emissions has not been fundamentally reversed. In order to promote the green development of urban and rural construction, the following opinions are put forward.

I. General requirements

(1) Guiding ideology.  We should give priority to ecology, conservation and protection, adhere to a systematic approach, balance development and security, advance material progress and ecological progress in parallel, implement the goals and tasks of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, promote urban renewal and rural development, accelerate the transformation of urban and rural development methods, and promote a comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. This will lay a solid foundation for comprehensively building a modern socialist country.

(2) Working principles. We should uphold harmonious coexistence between man and nature, respect, adapt to and protect nature, and promote the building of a community of life between man and nature. Adhere to the overall and local coordination, planning, construction and management of the three major links, overall urban and rural development. We will attach equal importance to efficiency and balance, promote the economical and intensive use of urban and rural resources and energy, and coordinate population and economic development with ecological resources. We will continue to integrate fairness and inclusiveness, improve urban and rural infrastructure, and promote equal access to basic public services. We will adhere to the unification of protection and development, carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture, and promote creative transformation and innovative development. We will continue to combine the guidance of Party building with the joint contribution, governance and sharing of the people, improve the mechanism for public participation, and jointly create a better environment.

3. Overall Objectives

By 2025, we will have basically established the system, mechanism and policy system for green development in urban and rural development, achieved remarkable results in the green transformation of construction methods, made solid progress in carbon emission reduction, enhanced the integrity, systemization and growth of cities, alleviated the problem of "urban diseases", improved the overall quality of urban and rural ecological environment, significantly improved the quality of urban and rural development and the carrying capacity of resources and the environment, and significantly improved the capacity for comprehensive governance. A green lifestyle is widely promoted.

By 2035, green development will be achieved in all areas of urban and rural development, the level of carbon emission reduction will be rapidly improved, the quality of urban and rural areas will be improved, the living environment will be better, the governance system and capacity for urban and rural development will be basically modernized, and the goal of building a beautiful China will be basically achieved.

Second, promote the integrated development of urban and rural development

1. Promoting green development of regions and city clusters We will establish a sound coordination mechanism for green development between regions and urban agglomerations, give full play to the comparative advantages of cities, and promote the effective allocation of resources. In the planning of national land and space, we will draw the red line for ecological protection, permanent basic farmland and urban development boundaries, coordinate production, living and ecological space, implement the strictest system for protecting arable land, establish a rigid constraint system for water resources, and develop a spatial pattern that matches the carrying capacity of resources and the environment and integrates the prevention and control of major risks. We will coordinate the construction of housing in large, medium and small cities within regions, urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas, in accordance with the population composition and industrial structure. Jointly build regional ecological networks and greenway systems, connect the red line of ecological protection, the bottom line of environmental quality, the line of resource utilization and the list of ecological environment access, and improve the regional ecological environment. We will promote the joint construction and sharing of major regional infrastructure and public service facilities, and establish a modern infrastructure network including comprehensive three-dimensional transportation in urban agglomerations with complete functions, close connections and strong guarantees.

2. Build a beautiful city where man and nature live in harmony. We will establish a mechanism for coordinating and controlling urban development at different levels and at different regions. Based on the carrying capacity of natural resources and the capacity of the ecological environment, we will rationally determine the scale of urban population, water use and land use, and the density and intensity of development and construction. We will increase the overall carrying capacity of central cities, build a number of new suburban cities that integrate industry and city, balance employment and housing, are ecologically livable and have convenient transportation, and promote multi-center and cluster development. Implement planning EIA requirements and noise protection distance. We will vigorously promote water conservation in cities and raise the level of intensive conservation and utilization of water resources. We will build sponge cities, improve urban flood control and drainage systems, improve urban disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities, and enhance urban resilience. We will carry out urban ecological restoration projects, protect the natural features of urban mountains, restore rivers, lakes, and wetlands, strengthen urban parks and green Spaces, promote three-dimensional greening, and build a continuous and complete ecological infrastructure system. We will carry out the project to improve urban functions, strengthen the construction of facilities such as infant and child care institutions, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, medical and health institutions, elderly care services, child welfare institutions, assistance and protection institutions for minors, and community football grounds, increase the space for public activities, build sports parks, improve facilities for cultural and tourism consumption, and promote the development of new forms of urban business and new functions. We will establish and improve standards, norms and working systems for promoting urban ecological restoration and functional improvement projects. We will promote the construction of green cities, forest cities, and "waste-free cities", and carry out in-depth actions to create green communities. Promote the urbanization construction with the county seat as an important carrier, strengthen the green and low-carbon construction of the county seat, and vigorously improve the level of public facilities and services in the county seat.

3. Creating a green, ecological and livable countryside. In accordance with the general requirements of prosperous industry, ecological livable, civilized village style, effective governance, and prosperous life, with the goal of continuously improving the rural living environment, an evaluation mechanism for rural construction has been established, and the development path of county rural areas has been explored. We will improve the design and construction of rural houses, build new types of rural houses that meet the actual needs of rural production and living, improve ancillary facilities for water, electricity, gas and toilets, and upgrade existing rural houses to conserve energy. We will protect and shape the rural landscape, maintain the historical context of the countryside, strictly implement relevant regulations, and refrain from damaging landforms, tearing down traditional houses, cutting down old trees, or building tall buildings. We will coordinate the distribution of infrastructure and public service facilities in county towns, central towns, and administrative villages, and promote the coordinated development of urban and rural facilities. We will improve the construction of facilities in towns and villages, continue to improve the treatment of rural household waste, sewage, toilet manure, and manure from livestock and poultry breeding, carry out comprehensive improvement of rural water systems, promote the development of ecologically clean river basins, strengthen the comprehensive control of soil and water loss, and improve rural capacity for disaster prevention and mitigation. We will build a whole industrial chain of agriculture with its own characteristics based on our resource advantages, develop diversified forms of appropriately sized operations, support connecting the market with the "company + farmer" model, foster new forms of business such as rural culture, tourism, leisure, homestay, health care for the elderly, and traditional handicrafts, strengthen the comprehensive utilization of agricultural products and their processing by-products, expand channels for farmers to increase their income, and promote the integration of production and village. We will promote the integrated development of the primary, secondary and tertiary industries in rural areas.

3. Transform the pattern of urban and rural development

1. Building high-quality green buildings. Implement carbon peak and carbon neutral actions in the building sector. Regulate the design, construction, operation and management of green buildings, and encourage the construction of green agricultural houses. We will promote the greening of existing buildings, and encourage them to be carried out in parallel with the renovation of old urban communities, the renovation of dilapidated rural houses, and the seismic reinforcement. We will launch a campaign to create green buildings, conservation-oriented institutions, green schools and green hospitals. We will strengthen fiscal, financial, planning and construction policy support, promote the large-scale development of high-quality green buildings, vigorously promote ultra-low energy and near-zero energy buildings, and develop zero-carbon buildings. We will implement a unified identification system for green buildings. Establish a data sharing mechanism for urban building water, electricity, gas and heat consumption, and improve building energy monitoring capabilities. Promote the improvement of regional building energy efficiency, promote contract energy management and contract water conservation management service models, reduce energy consumption and water consumption in building operation, vigorously promote the application of renewable energy, and encourage the integration and innovative development of smart photovoltaic and green buildings.

2. Improving the systemization of urban and rural infrastructure Establish a sound infrastructure documentation system, survey existing infrastructure, and coordinate the comprehensive utilization of underground space. We will promote special actions to strengthen weak spots and upgrade urban and rural infrastructure, as well as systematic development, and make infrastructure greener, smarter, more coordinated, and safer. Strengthen the construction of urban blocks that give priority to public transportation and make green travel, rationally layout and build urban bus lanes, bus yards and stations, gas filling stations for vehicles and ships, and electric vehicle charging and changing stations, accelerate the development of intelligent connected vehicles, new energy vehicles, smart parking and barrier-free infrastructure, and strengthen the connection between urban rail transit and other modes of transportation. Strengthen the control of traffic noise, and implement the technical requirements for urban traffic design, planning, construction and operation noise. Strengthen fire safety management in key places such as urban high-rise buildings and large commercial complexes, open up fire life channels, and promote the construction of urban and rural emergency shelters. We will continue to improve the quality and efficiency of urban sewage treatment, improve the utilization system of non-conventional water sources such as recycled water and rainwater harvesting, promote the full coverage of urban sewage pipe networks, and establish a long-term mechanism for the operation and management of sewage treatment systems. We will accelerate the construction of pipe networks in connected port areas according to local conditions, and do a good job in the collection and treatment of domestic sewage from ships. We will coordinate efforts to replace coal with electricity, coal with gas, and central heating, and accelerate the construction and upgrading of rural power grids, natural gas networks, and heat networks.

3. Strengthening the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture We will establish and improve systems for protecting and inheriting urban and rural history and culture, improve management and supervision mechanisms, improve protection standards, policies and regulations, strictly implement responsibilities, and be accountable and punished in accordance with the law. Carry out the survey of historical and cultural resources, and do a good job in mapping, filing and listing. Establish a protection system for famous historical and cultural cities, towns, villages and traditional villages, intensify protection efforts, do not demolish historical buildings, do not demolish genuine remains, do not build fake antiques, and ensure that the protection is provided according to the level and should be fully guaranteed. We will improve the systems and mechanisms for project approval, financial support, and social participation, and promote the green renewal, renovation, and rational use of historic buildings. Establish a maintenance and repair mechanism for conservation projects, protect and train traditional artisans, and inherit the green construction methods of traditional buildings.

4. Achieving green construction throughout the construction process. We will carry out actions to create green construction demonstration projects, promote green, industrialized, informationized, intensive and industrialized construction methods, strengthen technological innovation and integration, and use new technologies to achieve fine design and construction. Vigorously develop prefabricated buildings, focus on promoting the construction of prefabricated housing of steel structures, constantly improve the standardization level of components, promote the formation of a complete industrial chain, and promote the coordinated development of intelligent construction and building industrialization. We will improve the certification system for green building materials, carry out demonstration projects for the application of green building materials, and encourage the use of comprehensive utilization products. Strengthen the recycling of building materials, promote the reduction of construction waste, strictly control construction dust, and adopt comprehensive noise reduction measures to control construction noise. We will promote the transformation and upgrading of the traditional construction industry, improve the organizational model of project construction, accelerate the implementation of general contracting of projects, promote the whole process of project consulting, and promote the responsibility of architects for civil construction projects. We will accelerate the reform of project costs. Reform the construction labor employment system, vigorously develop professional operation enterprises, and cultivate professional, specialized and skilled construction workers.

5. Promoting green lifestyles. Promote energy-saving, low-carbon and water-saving products, promote the application of solar energy and recycled water, encourage the use of environmentally friendly recycled products and products with green design, and reduce the consumption of disposable consumer goods and packaging materials. Advocate green decoration, encourage the use of green building materials, furniture, home appliances. We will continue to promote the classification, reduction and resource utilization of garbage, promote the reduction of domestic garbage at source, and establish a sound system for the classification, collection, transportation and treatment of domestic garbage. Strengthen the collection and treatment of hazardous waste and medical waste, and establish and improve the emergency disposal mechanism. We will formulate a scientific plan for the urban slow travel system, build bicycle lanes and greenways in light of local conditions, carry out a comprehensive campaign to purify sidewalks, and upgrade key urban pedestrian streets. We will carry out an in-depth campaign to create green travel, optimize the transportation structure, and encourage the public to choose public transportation, bicycles, and walking.

Fourth, innovate working methods

1. Coordinating urban and rural planning and construction management We will adhere to the overall national security concept, take green development in urban and rural construction as our goal, strengthen top-level design, formulate relevant plans, establish a mechanism for coordinating the three links of planning, construction and management, coordinate the economic needs, livelihood needs, ecological needs and security needs of urban layout, coordinate the comprehensive utilization of above-ground and underground space, coordinate the construction of various types of infrastructure, and systematically promote major projects. We will innovate mechanisms for controlling and guiding urban and rural development, improve urban form, enhance architectural quality, and shape the characteristics of The Times. Improve urban and rural planning, construction, and management systems, and dynamically control the construction process to ensure that the implementation of a blueprint is not out of shape and deformed.

(2) Establish a city physical examination evaluation system. Establish and improve the urban physical examination evaluation system of "one year one physical examination, five years one assessment", and strengthen the evaluation of the implementation of relevant plans, historical and cultural protection and inheritance, infrastructure efficiency, ecological construction, pollution prevention and control. Formulate urban physical examination evaluation standards, and incorporate green development into the evaluation index system. The city government, as the main body of urban physical examination and evaluation work, should regularly carry out physical examination and evaluation, formulate annual construction and rectification action plans, and disclose the results of physical examination and evaluation to the public according to law and regulations. We will strengthen supervision over the implementation of relevant plans and maintain the seriousness and authority of the plans.

3. Intensify scientific and technological innovation. We will improve the market-oriented green technology innovation system for urban and rural development, foster and expand a number of green and low-carbon technology innovation enterprises, and give full play to the role of innovation platforms such as the National Engineering Research Center, the National Technology Innovation Center, the National Enterprise Technology center, and the State key laboratories in supporting green and low-carbon technologies. We will strengthen research on national science and technology plans, systematically deploy a number of research and development projects to support the green development of urban and rural construction, organize the implementation of major scientific and technological breakthroughs, and increase efforts to integrate scientific and technological achievements into innovation. We will establish a database and disclosure system for scientific and technological projects, encourage research institutes, enterprises and other entities to integrate innovation and share benefits, and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Construction of international engineering construction standards system, improve the relevant standards.

4. Promoting smart urban development Establish and improve smart city construction standards, policies and regulations, and accelerate the integration of information technology with urban construction technology, business, and data. Carry out the construction of urban information model platform, promote the deepening application of building information model, promote the intelligent management of engineering construction projects, and promote the transformation of urban construction and operation mode. Build an urban operation management service platform, strengthen the intelligent management of municipal infrastructure, urban environment, urban traffic, and urban disaster prevention, promote the information and intelligent management and control of urban underground space, and improve the monitoring and early warning level of urban safety risks. We will improve the approval management system for engineering construction projects, gradually realize intelligent whole-process online processing, and promote interconnection with online approval and supervision platforms for investment projects. Build a smart property management service platform, strengthen community smart construction management, and provide convenient services for the masses.

5. Promoting a better environment for all. We will establish a community-level governance system featuring the unified leadership of Party organizations, the government performing its duties according to law, active coordination of various organizations, extensive public participation, and a combination of autonomy, rule of law, and rule of virtue. We will promote the formation of joint efforts to build a better living environment, and realize common decision-making, joint development, joint management, joint evaluation of results, and shared results. Sinking public services and social management resources, in accordance with relevant regulations to explore the project bidding, reward and other mechanisms suitable for urban and rural community governance, to solve the people around, the house in front of the house behind the matter. With the transformation of old urban communities, the protection and utilization of historical and cultural blocks, the construction of beautiful villages, and the classification of domestic waste as the starting points and carriers, the construction of community life circles will be built, and the masses will be extensively mobilized and organized to participate in urban and rural community governance and jointly build a better home.

Fifth, strengthen organization and implementation

1. Strengthen overall Party leadership. The Party's overall leadership runs through all aspects and links of urban and rural green development, and the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee are implemented to the letter. To establish a working mechanism with provinces taking overall responsibility and cities and counties taking specific responsibility, local party committees and governments at all levels should fully understand the significance of promoting green development in urban and rural construction, and accelerate the formation of a work pattern of unified leadership by party committees and joint management by the Party and government. All provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government) shall, in accordance with these Opinions, determine their own goals and key tasks for promoting the green development of urban and rural construction, strengthen overall planning and coordination, and promote the solution of key and difficult problems. As the main body of work responsibility, cities and counties should formulate specific measures and effectively organize and implement them.

2. Improving work mechanisms. We will strengthen overall coordination among departments, and departments for housing and urban-rural development, development and reform, industry and information technology, civil affairs, finance, natural resources, ecological environment, transportation, water conservancy, agriculture and rural areas, culture and tourism, finance, and market supervision should improve relevant support policies in accordance with their respective responsibilities and promote the implementation of key tasks. We will increase fiscal and financial support, improve the green financial system, and support major projects and key tasks for green development in urban and rural areas. All localities should establish relevant working mechanisms in light of their actual conditions to ensure the implementation of various tasks.

3. Improving the support system. We will establish and improve institutions, mechanisms and systems for promoting green development in urban and rural development, and modernize the governance system and capacity for urban and rural development. We have formulated and revised laws and regulations on urban and rural development, historical and cultural protection and inheritance, and provided legal guarantees for the green development of urban and rural development. We will deepen the reform of the urban management and law enforcement system, strengthen the construction of the ranks, promote strict, standardized, fair and civilized law enforcement, and improve the level of urban management and law enforcement capabilities. We will improve public satisfaction evaluation and third-party evaluation mechanisms, and let the public judge the effectiveness of green development in urban and rural development. We will accelerate innovation in management, technology and mechanisms, foster new drivers of green development, and achieve dynamic change.

(4) Strengthening training and publicity. The Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, should strengthen training and continuously improve the ability and level of the Party and government's main comrades in charge of promoting the green development of urban and rural construction. Party schools (administrative colleges) and executive leadership colleges at all levels have increased relevant training courses, edited and published a series of textbooks, and educated and guided leading cadres and professional and technical personnel at all levels to respect the laws of urban and rural development, the natural ecological environment, historical and cultural inheritance, and attach importance to and respond to the demands of the masses. We will strengthen international exchanges and cooperation and draw on advanced experience. We will take various forms to strengthen education, publicity and public opinion guidance, and popularize laws, regulations and scientific knowledge about green development in urban and rural construction.