BEIJING, May 16: As China faces the pressures of rapid urbanisation, climate resilience, and an ageing population, authorities have unveiled a more comprehensive framework for evaluating the health of its cities.
The updated system shifts the focus from traditional infrastructure metrics to a more people-centred approach, reflecting national priorities such as sustainable development, food and water security, and equitable access to public services. The move signals a strategic effort to make urban planning more responsive to residents’ everyday needs.
As part of the initiative, China has launched a revised system to evaluate the health of its cities, placing greater emphasis on the well-being of residents and the adaptability of urban planning, according to an official document released on Friday.
The 2025 edition of the regulations on the city “health check” features a clear focus on a “people-centred approach”.
New metrics in the evaluation system include the amount of farmland within and surrounding urban areas, aiming to bolster local food security initiatives such as the “rice bag” and “vegetable basket” programmes.
The number of available water sources will also be a key indicator. The regulations address practical aspects of urban life.
The progress of upgrading ageing gas pipeline networks and adherence to safety distances will be monitored, as will the provision of adequate parking spaces for electric bicycles, an increasingly popular mode of transport in Chinese cities.
A significant change is the elevation of the “15-minute community life circle” concept to a mandatory evaluation for all cities.
This assesses the accessibility of essential services within a short walk for residents, with specific checks on the coverage of primary and secondary schools, elderly care facilities, cultural and sports venues, healthcare centres, wet markets, and football pitches within a five to 15-minute radius.
The new evaluation system will be linked to land supply plans starting this year, suggesting that a city’s performance in these “health checks” will increasingly influence future land allocation decisions.
(UNI)
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