China’s Green space system planning: Development, experiences, and characteristics

The People's Republic of China (PRC) has faced rapid urbanization, especially during recent decades. Urban green spaces have received more attention than before, but the planning and construction of cities’ green space systems (GSSs) have faced many challenges. As many countries worldwide are faced with similar challenges, we review the history and current state of green space system planning (GSSP) in China, which has had a strong government-led approach. We analyze the GSSP’s management system, legislative system, land-use control system, green land ownership, and legal approval procedures. We also review the development history of GSSP, the problems it has faced in each period, and the measures taken, as important lessons can be derived from them. In China, the government has dominated the planning and construction of GSSs, and national conditions during different historical periods are associated with different requirements for GSSP. Different measures have been taken during different periods in response to emerging challenges and possibilities. Changes and optimizations have been made regarding the planning concept, applied planning content, and administration systems. We found that as China enters a period of so-called ecological civilization construction, the ecological functions of green space are required to be more complex, and the connection between urban and rural green space needs to be strengthened, which also challenges GSSP. Several ways are identified to address these challenges, such as constructing a comprehensive evaluation system and reestablishing an adaptive multiobjective programming method. This review provides insights in support of green space system planning in both China and other countries. The Chinese system, which includes a complex vertical and horizontal integration of planning and strong involvement at the national level of government, is rather unique and has its own specific challenges. However, the Chinese system can inspire the search for better green system planning and conservation in a time of continued urbanization.