Chapter 10 - Development of Sustainabl of Human Settlements

INTRODUCTION

10.1 The policy of reform and opening to the outside world have accelerated national social and economic development and promoted urban development in China. The rural population is continuously flowing into cities and towns in increasing numbers. Therefore, it is necessary not only to continue to improve the housing standards for the current urban population, but also to meet the needs of the newcomers. The movement of great numbers of people and the increased circulation of goods and materials, combined with an increase in the number of motor vehicles, has meant that traffic problems are becoming a major issues in the development of human settlements. The infrastructure is under pressures from the growth in the urban population and from rising production and living standards. The shortage of natural resources is another challenge to be faced in developing human settlements in China. A low technological level and the improper use of resources has aggravated the severity of the problem. In cities, the amount of land currently being used for industrial purposes is relatively high compared with other land uses. Approximately 70% of industries are located in cities and in many areas, factories and housing are intermixed, a major factor affecting the environment of urban residential areas. The use of arable land by the village and township enterprises (VTEs) is another serious problem. Settlements in towns and villages are also under the threat from various types of environmental pollution.

10.2 The objectives for the development of human settlements are: to formulate and enforce policies, laws, regulations, development strategies, long-term plans and action programmes by appropriate government agencies and legislative bodies; to mobilize all social communities and people for taking an active part in the construction of human settlements, which should be rationally laid out with comprehensive facilities, which are convenient for working and living, and which have clean, quiet and comfortable environments.

10.3 This chapter is based mainly on Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, including the relevant resolutions and documents, as well as on the Ten-Year Plan for the Economic and Social Development of the People's Republic of China, the Programme of the Eighth Five-Year Plan, the City Planning Law of the People's Republic of China and other legal documents. The sustainable development of human settlements is closely related to the development of economy, the utilization of natural resources and to environmental protection. A relationship between this chapter and other chapters can be found in each relevant programme areas (see Chapters 9, "Health and Sanitation"; 11, "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development"; 12, "Sustainable Development of Industry, Transportation and Communications"; 14, "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources"; 17, "Disaster Mitigation"; 18, "Protection of the Atmosphere"; 19, "Environmentally Sound Management of Solid Wastes").

10.4 This chapter includes 6 programme areas:



PROGRAMME AREAS


A. Management of Urbanization and Human Settlements

Basis for action

10.5 Rapid population growth in cities and towns, and particularly in medium-sized and large cities, is an important factor affecting the sustainable development of human settlements. In 1950, the total urban population in China was 58 million; by 1990, the figure had quadrupled to 214 million. In the last 10 years, the annual average growth rate of the population was 0.53%, which is higher than the world average. The migrant population has already reached 60 million and will increase substantially in the future. Provision of appropriate and living conditions for these people is another important concern in the sustainable development of human settlements.

10.6 The number of cities (especially large cities) is growing rapidly. In 1980, there were 223 cities throughout China; by 1990, the number had more than doubled to 467. In the last 10 years, the number of large cities has increased from 70 to 119, small cities from 108 to 289 and towns from 2,874 to 12,084. The vigorous development of village and township enterprises in rural areas has also greatly accelerated the process of industrialization and urbanization. At present, more than 800 million people live in rural areas. During the transformation to a market economy, surplus rural labour and some of the population is tending to shift to urban areas.

10.7 Planning for human settlements and land use management for housing are important elements in the development of human settlements. In Chinese cities, land for housing and facility constructions is in short supply, and there has not been rational planning and land utilization. Urban land availability stands at 67.5 square metres per capita, or 81% of the world average. Of this land, approximately 26.4% is used for industrial purposes. In rural areas, VTEs and housing occupy considerable amounts of arable land, thus posing a potential threat to sustainable development.

Objectives

10.8 The momentum for the excessively rapid growth in populations in large cities should be appropriately controlled; satellite towns near large cities should be developed, as should medium-sized or small cities. By the year 2000, the number of cities is expected to reach about 600, of towns to about 15,000. The floating population in large cities, who are no longer participating in agricultural production, will constitute 25% of the urban population. Methods of dealing with the large migrant urban population should be improved.

10.9 General plans for regions and existing cities should be revised. Detailed, restrictive planning procedures should be introduced for towns and villages. Land for urban and rural housing and for improvements to the infrastructure should be secured. The urban infrastructure should be improved. There should be coordinated urban and rural development.

Activities

10.10 Management-related activities:

  • (a) It is necessary to improve the administration of urban areas and to establish new management bodies in which the government and community bodies can jointly participate, so that all residents can be involved in community management. As well, it is necessary to improve management systems and to set forth procedures for gathering statistical information;

    (b) Management of matters concerning the development of towns and cities should be strengthened. Rational standards must be set to ensure the high quality of cities and towns;

    (c) A system for city and town planning should be worked out and implemented as early as possible. Fully implement a licensing system for construction plans and for land use for construction;

    (d) A planning system for residential land use in urban and rural areas should be established. Housing conditions and trends in the population developments should govern plans for residential land use and reconstruction.

10.11 Scientific and technological activities:

  • (a) A geographical information system for city planning should be established (including information on land use and management of infrastructure operations). The advanced technological storage of information on cities will facilitate the work of town planners;

    (b) Further steps should be taken to study desirable urbanization models in China; comparative studies of international experiences should also be conducted;

    (c) Research on urban and rural planning theory, methodologies and techniques should be carried out.

10.12 Construction of demonstration projects:
There should be pilot projects for the construction of model villages and towns. The national, provincial, municipal and county governments should at their own respective levels, pay attention to the establishment of demonstration villages and towns having rational layouts, appropriate facilities and demonstrating the rational use of land for housing, to serve as models for emulation in other parts of the country.

10.13 Enhancing capabilities:

  • (a) Training programs to develop the managerial skills of government and community management personnel should be established, to facilitate the exchange of information about advanced managerial methods at home and abroad;

    (b) Training programs should be set up for regional, city, town and village planners and technicians in the fields of planning theory, methodologies and new planning technologies, such as geographical information systems;

    (c) By using the mass media, efforts should be made to increase people's understanding of community management and self-management so as to increase their awareness and ability to participate.

10.14 International cooperation in community management and settlement will be sought in areas such as scientific research, academic exchange and personnel training.

B. Construction of Infrastructure and Improvement of Human Settlement Functions

Basis for action

10.15 Building up infrastructures in human settlements is a prerequisite for improving conditions in human settlements. Human settlements in China have poor infrastructures and suffer from receiving inadequate investment. This has already been proving to be a serious impediment to socio-economic development.

10.16 Over 300 cities in China suffer from water shortages, with daily shortages exceeding 16 million tons. The problem is most critical in about 100 cities. What is more, there is a shortage of water supply facilities in China.

10.17 Approximately 215 million people in rural areas, or approximately 23.3% of the rural population, has access to tapped water. About 50% of the rural population still drinks poor quality water. Projects for improving water supply have benefitted 71.8% of the rural population, but there are still 30 million people in rural areas, for whom a supply drinking water remains insecure.

10.18 Since 1949, the gross industrial output of urban industries has increased 30-fold and there has been a 25-fold increase in the amount of waste water discharged by industries. During the same period, the total pipe length for urban public sewers increased only 7.7 times. Public sewers are available in only 61.5% of built-up districts. Due to the serious lack of sewage treatment facilities, more than 80% of sewage has been discharged into water bodies without effective treatment, causing serious pollution of potable water sources and threatening the health of inhabitants. Moreover, in a good number of small cities and towns, especially in the rural areas, there are still no sewage facilities available, and this gravely hinders the sustainable development of human settlements.

10.19 At present, fuel gases are available in only 51% of China's cities; half of the population still burns coal; the majority of rural residents depend on straw, dry grasses and wood for heating and cooking.

10.20 The availability of central heating systems for urban residents is very low. The use of individual small boilers and domestic coal-burning stoves result in energy waste and serious air pollution.

10.21 Postal, telecommunications and power supply facilities, which are indispensable in the development of human settlements, are far from meeting the requirements for sustainable development (see Chapter 12).

10.22 Factors such as the large population, the variety of types of vehicles, poor road conditions, a low level of traffic supervision, inadequate traffic control and management lead to frequent traffic jams and accidents. In some large cities in China, the average traffic speed is only 15 km/hour, which is seriously affecting people's lives and work and restricting urban socio-economic development. For discussion of problems concerning inter-city traffic and transportation in the rural areas, refer to other chapters and sub-sections concerned.

Objectives

10.23 Water supply and sewage discharge facilities should meet the needs of people and economic development. Increasing the availability of potable water is a major goal. By the year 2000, it will reach around 95% in cities, with daily per capita water consumption of 200 litres. As well, economic measures will be taken to encourage water conservation. By the turn of the century, around 70% of urban areas will have sewage discharge facilities and the percentage will increase to over 85% by 2025. In rural areas during the same period, tapped water will be made available to 317 million people, approximately 33% of total rural population.

10.24 By the year 2000, there will be a big increase in gas utilization in cities. Rural areas will be encouraged to develop other energy sources such as marsh gases and solar energy. By the year 2000, around 40% of heating in urban areas will be supplied by central heating. In most cities, coal will not be used to heat homes. There is even consideration being given to supplying hot water to residents.

10.25 Mid-term targets for urban transportation are to develop road networks that will handle traffic volumes, to construct high-speed roads to handle large volumes of traffic in major transportation corridors, and to develop various means of urban passenger transportation, such as subways. In the long run, it is expected that a rapid, punctual, safe, convenient and comfortable urban transportation network will be developed so that, an average trip in the city will take no more than 60 minutes in large cities and less than 40 minutes in medium-sized cities. The density of roads in large and medium-sized cities should reach 10 kilometres per square kilometre (both major and secondary streets). The city transportation network should gradually become a 3-dimensional system, incorporating multiple level of traffic.

10.26 There should be improvements to the infrastructures in both urban and rural areas, including the postal system, telecommunications, banking, medical care, sanitation, sports and cultural facilities, educational and recreational activities, shopping networks, information services, and social welfare systems.

Activities

10.27 Management-related activities:

  • (a) Regarding the construction of water supply and sewage discharge facilities, coordination and management within the water supply sector should be strengthened. Effective management and supervision mechanisms should be established. Related laws and regulations for water supply and drainage should be formulated. Administrative, economic and judicial measures should be taken to encourage water conservation. A system for supervising water consumption by urban units utilizing water should be created. Using an approach based on overall planning, comprehensive treatments and phased implementation, there should be improvements to original drainage-pipe networks and construction of new pipe systems and waste water disposal facilities. In rural areas, there should be a gradual improvements for increasing water supply capacities and for raising water quality;

    (b) In urban areas, there should be a focus on the vigorous development of coal gasification and oil gas industries, as well as gas transport facilities. The use of natural gas for household use should be greatly encouraged. In the rural areas, the use of solar energy, marsh gases and new energy-saving stoves should also be encouraged;

    (c) Existing urban road systems should be improved by constructing new roads, flyovers, a system of urban traffic controls, passenger and cargo transportation hubs and terminals, rapid light-rail transportation and subways. There should be improvements in vehicle models;

    (d) Efforts should be made to increase turnover benefits from investments in urban construction. The management and maintenance of urban infrastructures should be improved to ensure highly efficient operations.

10.28 Scientific and technological activities:

  • (a) Studies on urban modernization and sustainable urban development should be conducted so as to develop strategies, plans, designs, management theories and development models for the urban modernization drive and sustainable development;

    (b) The National Research Centre for Urban Water Supply and Sewage Discharge Engineering and Technology will be entrusted the task of conducting research to find better solutions for the key problems in providing essential services, and their industrialization. Demonstration projects will be set up and new products for the water industry will be developed. Information on water supply and drainage technology will be collected to encourage dynamic management, and relevant data bases will be created;

    (c) Technology and expertise needed for coal gasification should be developed, and research on means and equipment for the transport of coal gas, natural gas and other fuels should be conducted. In rural areas, equipment for generating marsh gas and new energy-saving stoves should be further developed;

    (d) Research on the technology of central heating and the integrated production of heat and electricity should be conducted; thermal insulation materials for heat-supply pipe networks and technology to increase efficiency of heat transport should be further developed;

    (e) Regarding urban transportation, studies on modern techniques of urban transportation management and new transportation planning systems should be done. A national research centre for road transportation should be set up to carry out comprehensive research on technology for construction, control and management of transportation facilities and equipment. Data bases dedicated to city transportation planning and management should also be established.

10.29 Construction of demonstration projects:

  • (a) Pilot projects for saving water during industrial use, on increasing the rate of water reuse, and on improving water supply facilities should be set up. Key industrial sectors or cities with water shortages will be selected to demonstrate successful water-saving technologies and techniques;

    (b) Demonstration projects will be established to encourage the construction of centralized heating networks in order to increase the efficiency in the supply of heating;

    (c) Different cities will be selected to experiment with transportation planning and to demonstrate new modes of urban transportation;

    (d) Demonstration projects for the comprehensive development of small functional settlement zones will be set up. Demonstration projects for village and town planning and construction should also be set up.

10.30 Capacity-building:

  • (a) Specialized training of government management staff, technicians and planners responsible for infrastructure planning should be organized so as to increase their abilities in management and in project implementation;

    (b) Research centres established by the state and various sectors to investigate engineering technologies could offer technical training courses; technology and equipment needed for the development of infrastructures could be applied widely and more professional staff could be trained.

10.31 International cooperation: In connection with infrastructure planning, construction and management, international cooperation with developed countries and regions will be encouraged in the fields of technical research, implementation of demonstration projects and personnel training.

C. Improvement of the Human Settlement Environment

Basis for action

10.32 With sharp increases in urban populations, with rising levels of consumption and with ever- growing production, there are also increases in waste water, gases and residua, which are seriously polluting the environment and threatening people's health. At present, only 16.2% of sewage in urban areas is treated 16.2% (of which 3.4% is done through government support). Smog resulting from the suspension of particles and sulphur dioxide emissions is still quite serious. Urban solid wastes are increasing. There is a trend towards increasing noise from traffic and other social activities. Sanitary conditions in many cities are below standard. The development of village and township enterprises is also causing pollution of the environment in rural areas.

10.33 Rapid increases in the means of urban transportation, in particular motor vehicles, have produced large amounts of hazardous gases and noise, which are seriously impacting the normal work life and health of residents, and as a result, their work efficiency.

10.34 The coverage of vegetation in urban areas is decreasing. At present, the vegetation coverage rate is only 19.2%, and per capita green space stands at only 3.9 square metres, and these are often affected by urban construction.

Objectives

10.35 By the year 2000, through investment by the government, the sewage treatment rate will reach 25% and this will be increased to 50%-60% by the year 2025. Moreover, the number of sewage treatment projects financed by enterprises will also be increased. Appropriate sewage treatment technologies will be applied in villages and towns.

10.36 Comprehensive control measures will be taken to reduce industrial noise and traffic noise in urban areas.

10.37 Emissions of coal-burning smog, motor-vehicle exhausts, and industrial wastes in urban areas should be controlled (see Chapter 18, "Protection of the Atmosphere").

10.38 Facilities for the collection, treatment and disposal of industrial wastes, construction residua and household refuse should be developed (see Chapter 19, "Environmentally Sound Management of Solid Wastes").

10.39 There should be vigorous promotion of programmes to increase urban vegetation. By the year 2000, coverage by urban vegetation should be 30%, with per capita green space of 7 square metres.

Activities

10.40 Management-related activities:

  • (a) Policies for the comprehensive and centralized disposal of city sewage should be formulated, based on current realities in China. Regulations for imposing fees for the discharge of sewage, for time-limits for its proper treatment, and for charging industries for their use of sewage treatment facilities should be enforced. A use of oxidation trench facilities should be combined with the use of a land disposal system. The construction of sewage disposal facilities should show consistency between short- and long-term plans and should be implemented by stages. Sewage disposal should concentrate on sewage recycling. After proper treatment, recycled sewage water can be used for agricultural irrigation, for scenic sites, for washing and for industrial cooling;

    (b) Both urban and rural development programmes should be improved or revised, so that industries creating high-level noise will be located at sites away from downtown or residential districts;

    (c) The means of urban transportation and road systems should be improved, and management of traffic should be better controlled. Constructing noise shields on both sides of roads and planting of noise-shielding trees should be encouraged. Residential housing along streets should be better designed and rationally planned in order to reduce the impact of noise. Legal regulations for noise control should be promulgated;

    (d) Urban vegetation beautification and protection programmes should be intensified. The rule of "cutting one and planting five" should be enforced (i.e. if one tree is cut, five trees must be planted in compensation). Moreover, ancient trees should be protected;

    (e) Urban environments should be comprehensively controlled and regular inspections will made to ensure they are up to standards.

10.41 Scientific and technological activities:

  • (a) Joint research activities should be organized to tackle key technical issues in areas such as the treatment of polluted sources of water, the development of highly efficient energy and water saving techniques, developing natural purification expertise for intensive sewage processing, and urban sewage recycling. Products and equipment for water industries should be developed and proven technologies should be widely applied;

    (b) Techniques and equipment for use in the reduction and isolation of urban traffic and industrial noise should be developed;

    (c) Studies on urban modernization and improvement of the environments in settlement areas should be conducted to provide sound scientific bases for policy-making, planning, design and management of facilities in settlement areas.

10.42 Appropriate cities will be selected to initiate demonstration projects in the treatment of lake pollution, in high efficiency and energy-saving sewage treatment, and in urban sewage recycling and natural sewage purification.

10.43 Capacity-building:

  • (a) Administrative and management staff in both urban and rural areas should be trained in such areas as policies and regulations for settlement environments, and in management skills in order to increase their capabilities;

    (b) Specialized training for city planners and technicians will be organized so that they can better implement ideas about improving the environments of human settlements;

    (c) The mass media will keep the public informed about sustainable development, so as to enhance their sense of participation, to encourage their involvement in activities for environmental management, and their cooperation with institutions concerned.

10.44 Technical and commercial cooperation will be conducted with appropriate international bodies, enterprises and financial groups. International symposiums, academic exchanges and exhibitions will be organized.

D. Provision of Adequate Shelter for All

Basis for action

10.45 One of the basic human rights is access to an appropriate dwelling place. A comfortable and safe house is fundamental to the welfare of each citizen and every family and, therefore, it should be a basic component of national and international activities.

10.46 Housing is one of the main criteria for reaching the goal of the Chinese people enjoying a comfortable life by the year 2000. It is also an important index of social development.

10.47 For a long time, government investment in housing construction has not met the needs of the growing population. Because housing has long been regarded as mechanism of social welfare, it has been difficult to accumulate sufficient funds for construction of new housing or for renovations of old. At present, there is a sharp discrepancy between demand and supply of housing. At the end of 1990, 5 million households were inadequately housed, with over 400,000 of these having per capita floor-space below 2 square metres. Furthermore, there were approximately 32,320,000 square metres of dangerous housing that needed complete renovation or renewal. At present, 46% of the housing is made up of flats, which are not fully equipped, are of poor construction quality and are improperly managed. The number of flats should be increased, but their quality and management improved.

10.48 Although there is a rapid development for shelter construction in rural areas, the planning, design and engineering quality are at a low level; shelter conditions in poverty-stricken areas should be improved.

Objectives

10.49 By the year 2000, every urban household should have appropriate accommodation and every rural household should have a suitable, sanitary and compact house with a courtyard. In the 1990s, more efforts will be focused on convenience, sanitation, quality of housing and the environments surrounding housing.

Activities

10.50 Management-related activities:

  • (a) A nation-wide housing survey should be organized in towns and cities together with population census, and one or two sampling surveys should be made so as to lay the foundation for formulating housing policies and development programmes;

    (b) Practical actions should be taken to solve "the problems of badly housed families". Local authorities should consider this to be an important task, and supervise its implementation;

    (c) The reform of housing distribution and land use systems should be accelerated. Different housing policies should be adopted according to people's different income levels. Housing problems for people with different incomes will be solved through the selling, renting and organized individual and cooperative funding for housing constructions. All residents should be encouraged to be involved in house renovation and maintenance;

    (d) The accumulation of funds for housing should be encouraged. Mechanisms for funding housing development and banks for housing deposits should be established;

    (e) Legal systems should be strengthened in order to form a complete sets of laws and regulations related to housing construction and management.

10.51 Scientific and technological activities:

  • (a) Research should be conducted on response strategies and development plans aimed at improving the dwelling conditions of Chinese citizens. Studies should be conducted on reform of the housing distribution system, on funding, on the dwelling environment and housing standards. Comprehensive studies should be conducted on the development of and transactions in the real estate business;

    (b) A national data base for housing should be established;

    (c) Studies on changes in family structures and their changing requirements for housing should be conducted. The process of housing modernization should be promoted.

10.52 Construction of demonstration projects:

  • (a) Low-cost housing, which can meet the needs of its inhabitants, will be constructed. This housing will be sold or rented to families who are living in crowded conditions at favourable prices;

    (b) Demonstration projects should experiment with construction financed by cooperatives, housing funds and mortgages;

    (c) Pilot projects in real estate transactions should be carried out in selected areas.

10.53 Capacity-building:

  • (a) Training should be conducted for both government and community management staff so as to increase their capabilities in comprehensive planning, management and implementation;

    (b) Professional training in real estate management skills, such as evaluation, transactions, development and financing, should be improved in order to develop the real estate market;

    (c) Mass media will be fully utilized to increase public participation in the implementation of housing reforms;

    (d) Technical training of management staff for housing should be strengthened.

10.54 On the basis of existing international cooperation projects, further cooperation should be undertaken with international organizations such as the UN Centre for Human Settlements, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, in areas such as planning for the development of housing, funding for housing construction, the management of residential districts and new construction technologies.

E. Promotion of Sustainable Development of the Construction Industry

Basis for action

10.55 The construction industry has an important mission with respect to resource utilization, environmental construction and socio-economic development. It not only simply building various civic buildings and facilities, but it is also a labour-intensive industry, which creates a large number of jobs. In recent years, the labour force in the Chinese construction industry has exceeded 20 million people, accounting for 6% of the total employed population. Every increment of 10 thousand square metres in construction creates approximately 1000 job opportunities directly or indirectly.

Objectives

10.56 The capacity for housing construction should be maintained. In order to meet the requirement for 16.5 billion square metres of new urban housing by the year 2000, the annual construction capacity should be increased from 126 million square metres in the "Seventh Five-Year Plan" period (1986-1990) to 150 million square metres for the "Eighth Five-Year Plan" period (1991-1995), and eventually to 190 million square metres by the end of this century.

10.57 All possible efforts should be made to ensure the quality of housing construction. By the year 2000, the approval rate for the newly built houses will be over 90% at their first inspection for quality, out of which 35% ought to be of very high quality. Common quality problems, such as water leakage and rough construction, will be better solved. The supervision of construction and a quality control system should be improved in order to ensure the safety and quality of houses.

10.58 The production of building blocks should become specialized and industrialized. There should be an increase in the mechanization of construction. Working conditions should be improved and labour productivity be raised. By the year 2000, average labour productivity in the construction industry should have risen by 3-5% annually; manual labour should be reduced by around 30%.

10.59 New construction technologies and materials, consuming less energy and raw materials should be developed and utilized. By the year 2000, the consumption rate for energy and raw materials in the construction industry should be reduced by 10% and around 40% respectively, as compared with that in 1990.

Activities

10.60 Management-related activities:

  • (a) Research should be conducted on the formulation of managerial and financial policies to standardize the construction industry and to ensure efficient housing construction;

    (b) Management should be improved during the implementation stage of a construction project. The supervision of construction and the supply system should be further improved;

    (c) Technical policies for the industrialization of housing construction should be followed. Procedures and specific technical measures for the industrialization of the construction industry should be further clarified so that key aspects of the industrialization process (such as research, design, production, supply and implementation) will proceed in a harmonious and effective manner;

    (d) Strength urban and rural construction plan, comprehensively think of problems related to construction such as pollution control and environment improvement.

10.61 Scientific and technological activities:

  • (a) A National Research Centre for House Engineering and Technology will be established to build expertise in housing planning, design, standards and style, and to develop new construction equipment, materials, components, and fittings. The main focus should be on the development and application of new technology and expertise which will save energy, consume fewer materials, occupy less land and prove to be of high quality;

    (b) The replacement and refurbishment of machinery for construction should be accelerated;

    (c) Data bases, which could be easily accessed by customers, should be created to collect scientific and technological information concerning new construction materials, building expertise, technologies, and equipment.

10.62 Construction of demonstration projects:

  • (a) Pilot projects should be established which combine urban renewal with the replacement of old and unsafe housing;

    (b) Comprehensive projects should be built to demonstrate prototypes for "comfortable by the year 2000" urban housing. Small-scale demonstration projects should be established in both rural and urban areas which make use of systematic construction and engineering techniques, and which use various new materials and new designs.

10.63 Capacity-building:

  • (a) Training should be offered to those involved in designing, construction and installing, so that they will be qualified in different skills areas as required. Unqualified people will not be allowed to work in the construction industry;

    (b) Employment offices should be established at county levels to ensure a steady and stable supply of labour, and gradually an employment system will be established which is characterized by consistency of supply of labour, specialization of skills, job selection and long-term contracts;

10.64 International cooperation:

  • (a) Cooperation with the international community will be necessary in areas such as project contracting, price quotation, tendering and in training of Chinese construction personnel;

    (b) In accordance with the requirements of developing construction technologies and by combining key research programmes with development projects, various forms of international cooperation should be undertaken to improve research and skills levels;

    (c) Develop export-oriented construction project contracting and promote internationalization of China's building industry.

F. Energy Conservation and Enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Human Settlements

Basis for action

10.65 The energy supply in China is far from meeting demand. In keeping with improvements in people's living standards, residential energy consumption will see a large increases as compared with rises in total energy consumption. In developed countries, the consumption of energy in buildings accounts for 40-48% of total energy consumption, whereas in China, energy consumption in both buildings and the production of construction materials stands at 25% of total energy consumption. This low percentage is not due to high efficiency in these areas, but simply to the extremely low availability of central heating and hot water in China.

10.66 In 1990, energy consumption in buildings in China (excluding energy consumption in the production of building materials), was equivalent to 113 million tonnes of standard coal, or approximately 11.5% of total energy consumption; approximately 10% was used for heating. It is expected that by the year 2000, energy consumption in buildings will reach 199 million tonnes of standard coal, which will represent 13.1% of the total national consumption of energy. The annual increase of 5.84% for energy consumption in buildings exceeds the projected rate of increase of energy production, which is estimated at 2.4%.

10.67 Average energy efficiency in energy consumption in buildings in China stands at only 30%. In geographical areas that require heating, statistics indicate that, on average, every square metre of floor space consumes approximately 30.7 kilograms of standard coal during a heating season, which is roughly 3 times that required in developed countries under similar climatic conditions. This is due to the fact that reducing primary construction costs has been over-emphasized, resulting in the poor thermal performance of facing materials and increases in energy consumption. Energy conservation in buildings should be focused on improving the thermal performance of facing materials of buildings and the heating efficiency of boilers.

10.68 Along with the development of China's national economy, there is an increasing demand for improved indoor environments. Total area heated is expanding, and air-conditioners will be widely used in areas of high summer temperatures. Inevitably, energy consumption will rise by large amounts. Energy efficiency must be improved and energy consumption be reduced (e.g. through the utilization of energy-saving techniques for buildings) in order to realize both improvements in living conditions and energy-savings.

Objectives

10.69 By the year 2000, energy conservation for buildings ought to have been achieved in two stages. Step 1: from 1993 to 1995, newly built urban houses in cold regions should follow the "Design Standards for Housing Energy Conservation". There should be a 30% increase in energy conservation, as compared with that in the general designs used in early 1980's, viz., 18-20 kg standard coal will be consumed for every square metre of floor space during a heating season. Newly built heated public structures should follow new energy-saving designs. Step 2: from 1996 to 2000, newly built houses and public buildings should follow new standards of energy conservation with energy efficiency reaching 50%. The new standard will also apply to newly built buildings with air conditioning, so that indoor conditions in both temperate or warm climate areas will be generally improved. According to the aforementioned goals, from 1993 to 2000, a total of 41 million tonnes of standard coal could be saved from routine consumption in buildings in China. After the year 2000, 10 million tonnes of standard coal could be saved annually, while the thermal environment of housing would at the same time be improved.

Activities

10.70 Management-related activities:

  • (a) Laws and regulations on energy conservation for buildings should be further improved. There should be rational definitions for construction designs based on the thermal requirements of different regions. Technical standards for energy conservation in buildings should be created based on different climatic conditions. There should also be compilations of standardized general purpose building plans; diagrams for electrical, heating, water and drainage connections; standards for energy-saving materials and construction codes;

    (b) Plans should be drawn up to gradually retrofit present buildings with heating and air-conditioning equipment so as to further improve their energy efficiency;

    (c) A management system for energy conservation in buildings should be established, and relevant administrative bodies be created and staffed;

    (d) A supervisory system for energy conservation in buildings should be set up, which will combine governmental supervision with self-supervision by enterprises (or institutions). A licensing and quality control system for energy-saving production will be developed and improved.

10.71 Scientific and technological activities: Led by the National Research Centre for Building Engineering and Technology, research will be conducted on key technologies and expertise in energy conservation and the utilization of solar energy. Energy-saving materials and equipment should be developed by introducing, studying and adapting advanced technologies from abroad, so that energy- saving technologies and products can be applied extensively.

10.72 Construction of demonstration projects:

  • (a) A group of demonstration zones will be demarcated, where high quality, energy-saving buildings with good thermal properties will be displayed as individual prototypes or as a cluster of demonstration models, designed for different areas under different climatic conditions. 40% of the materials used for demonstration projects should be highly efficient thermal insulation products. In 5 years, each province should choose 2 or 3 cities for such pilot projects;

    (b) Experiments for saving energy should be conducted at hotels equipped with air-conditioning, and in heated residential and public buildings;

    (c) Experiments will be made for improving thermal conditions in rural housing.

10.73 Capacity-building: Training activities should be organized for building designers and workers, to develop expertise with respect to laws, regulations and standards for energy-saving. The mass media will be used to increase public awareness of the rational use of energy resources.

10.74 International cooperation in legislation, policy-making, management, development of technology for saving energy in buildings and improvements in energy efficiency will be sought, so as to promote technology transfer and the wider application of energy-saving techniques amongst enterprises.

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