The evolutionary mechanisms, characteristics, and future directions of China’s territorial spatial planning from a historical perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17587252 |
|---|---|
| Authors | He Yinjie (Chinese University of Hong Kong), Yinjie He (0009-0006-8293-0413, Shenzhen Technology University), Wang Fubin (Durham University), Song Mingxin (China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, corresponding author), Zhang Lei (0000-0002-2568-9428, Shenzhen Technology University), Liu Biao (Shenzhen Technology University), Gao Wenwen (CAUPD Beijing Planning & Design Consultants Co., Ltd, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-23 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Planning Perspectives (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0266-5433 • E-ISSN: 1466-4518 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/02665433.2026.2645208 |
| OpenAlex | W7139935566 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 17 |
Territorial space, as the spatial carrier of modern development, carries the basic activities of the social economy. At its core, the spatial planning system aims to coordinate the interests of diverse stakeholders and, in essence, represents a political process with functions to manage market externalities. This historical study explores the evolutionary internal logic and characteristics of China’s territorial spatial planning system, while also projecting its future trajectory. Key findings include: (1) While immediate institutional changes stem from shifts in the institutional environment, the fundamental drivers lie in proactive institutional constructions by the central government aimed at stabilizing governance and promoting economic development. (2) Since 1949, China’s spatial planning system has undergone six institutional ruptures and seven fluctuation periods, presenting a pattern of ‘discontinuity-fluctuation’. Disruptive transitions manifest as institutional transfer, restructuring, or disappearance, while incremental changes include layering, conversion, and drift. (3) The central government has dominated both the provision and evolution of spatial planning institutions, with the primary motivation being to mitigate governance risks and enhance economic performance, rather than to reduce transaction costs
Spatial planning · Global Urban Networks and Dynamics · Land Use and Ecosystem Services · Urbanization and City Planning
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A Transaction-cost Analysis of the Land Development Process
Circuits of Knowledge and Techniques
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |