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Inroduction to Sustainable Communities

National Sustainable Communities, launched in 1986 by the Ministry of Science and Technology in conjunction with the State Development Planning Commission and other government agencies, represents an effort to promote local sustainable development through demonstration and piloting. Its purpose was to build up local capacities and explore different mechanisms and models for sustainable development, in light of varied local socioeconomic and resource conditions, through progress in science and technology and institutionalization.

In December 1997, the Coordinating and Leading Group for Experimental Zones for Social Development briefed the State Council on progress of the project. Subsequently, according to a State Council circular [guoyue 1985 No. 15], National-level Experimental Zones for Socio Development were renamed “National Sustainable Communities”.

Over the past decade, thanks to joint efforts and support by various central government departments and local governments, 48 state-level sustainable communities and 77 province-level ones have been established in 25 provinces and remarkable progress made in their development. In fact, these zones have become bases for implementing China 's Agenda 21 and the sustainable development strategy.

In the new era, with the enshrinement of a “people first” policy at the 16 th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2002, the experimental zones will serve as demonstration bases for the establishment of a “well-off society for all”, as envisioned by the Party.