Environmental challenges of post-reform housing development in Beijing

Since the early 1980s, urban China has been changing rapidly with a massive housing development program together with a heavy infrastructure construction schedule. The post-reform housing boom has placed great burden on the natural and man-made infrastructure of Chinese cities. Many environmental problems highlighted by the Chinese government are found to be directly or indirectly linked to the intensive development of new housing estates. This study examines seven critical environmental pressures by an analysis of their links to the planning, design and construction of new housing estates in Beijing, using information gathered from local and overseas literatures, and through semi-structured interviews of housing professionals of Beijing. These environmental challenges are: inefficient land use, water shortage, air pollution, traffic congestion, deterioration of ecological system, high-energy consumption and waste management. The study argues that environmental concerns in planning and design should be addressed urgently, in order to sustain a high level of housing activity. Some concrete suggestions for improving planning and design practices are summarized in the study, which are related to integrated land use, improved infrastructure planning, enforcement of building codes, energy consumption measures, cooperation among various stakeholders and public participation.