China is undergoing rapid urbanization, with the majority of its population expected to be urban by 2035. To accommodate this growth, China is shifting its urban development policy to focus on building massive city clusters, each with a population of up to a hundred million people. These city clusters will collaborate economically, ecologically, and politically, boosting each region’s competitiveness. Five major city clusters are expected to be established in China by 2035, generating about half of the nation’s GDP and housing half of its urban population. The development of high-speed rail networks and digital public services are key components of this strategy. Additionally, regional coordination and environmental management are necessary to address overpopulation and pollution in China’s urban centers.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| China’s planned city clusters | Shifting from expanding individual cities | Established city clusters, collaboration | Boosting regional competitiveness, efficiency, and growth |
| Megalopolis as a new urban paradigm | Organic city clusters to planned clusters | Sustainable development, economic growth | Overcoming overpopulation and pollution in urban centers |
| Expansion of China’s high-speed rail network | Increased connectivity within and across | Extensive rail network, shorter travel time | Enhancing transportation and economic development |
| Digital public services for streamlined governance | Paperwork to digital infrastructure | Convenient public services, data privacy | Efficient delivery of public services, data collection |
| Collaboration in environmental management and cleanup | Individual efforts to joint cooperation | Common discharge standards, clean-up | Curbing pollution and restoring environmental health |