Ministry of Natural Resources issues new regulations: Strengthening urban development boundary management

A reporter learned today (the 28th) from the Ministry of Natural Resources that, to strengthen and standardize the management of urban development boundaries, the Ministry has formulated and issued the 《Interim Measures for the Administration of Urban Development Boundaries》, which sets out provisions on the delineation, implementation, adjustment, and maintenance guidance of urban development boundaries, guiding cities toward intensive and compact development and promoting the continuous optimization of urban spatial layouts. As the basic institutional document for urban development boundary management, the 《Measures》 has been optimized in its overall design to cover the entire chain and full process, including delineation, implementation, and adjustment and maintenance. Among other things, it clearly states that when delineating urban development boundaries, the resource security bottom line must be upheld, and areas that are not suitable for urban construction—such as contiguous high-quality farmland and natural ecological spaces, as well as areas with high geological disaster risk—must be avoided. It also calls for defining the scale of newly added construction land within urban development boundaries, strictly controlling the occupation of farmland, woodland, wetlands, and others for urban construction, so that urban development can shift from “relying on newly added land” to “revitalizing existing stock space.” At the same time, the 《Measures》 requires localities to further strengthen management in terms of the scale, structure, and other aspects of urban construction land, improve city functions, and enhance spatial quality. (CCTV News)