Our opportunities in Chengdu_an analysis to ADB-NDRC 2007 jointed research report

note: ADB: Asian Development Bank

In line with the objectives of the 11th Five Year Plan, the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) proposes to optimise urbanisation by adopting a new agenda to manage urban growth of metropolitan regions. This ADB-NDRC joint study (2006-2008) assists NDRC in task. The 2010 NDRC published CCEA (Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Area) Regional Planning (see Fiona Liu's entry on June 29) has incorporated many important policy proposals of this ADB-NDRC jointed research report, however left some important issues untouched which are especially relevant to our eco-city project in this same region.

I UNADDRESSED PROBLEMS

1, SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:
Lack of integrated/coordinated approach for solid waste management. Prepare waste management plan, to include measures to reduce and re-cycle waste, collection and sanitary disposal.

2, BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT
Introduce measures to encourage development of infill areas and vacant land (see finance policy 55). 55. Widen the tax base and introduce more effective taxes to generate regional own source revenues. Property tax has clear advantages, especially if mounted on GIS systems that capture other urban management information. Higher taxes could be levied on vacant or underdeveloped land to encourage a more compact urban form. Oblige real estate developers to include social facilities in developments, or pay the equivalent for others to provide them. Under-utilisation of serviced vacant land and brownfield (derelict) sites.

3, URBAN LAND POLICY (DENSITY AND TOD)
Compact city policy for Chongqing, Transportation congestion hazard. Require that land use and development plans of subordinate authorities accord with the strategic land use/management plan.
Establish zones which specify appropriate densities.

4, NO FINANCIAL
Insufficient sources of finance for the provision of social facilities (schools,clinics, etc.)
Lack of regional-level authority for implementing the CCEA regional planning (2011, NDRC).

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II UNADOPTED IMPORTANT ADB RECOMMENDATIONS (some important ADB proposals that are not adapted in the CCEA Regional Planning):

1, REGIONAL AUTHORITY:
ADB recommended that a metropolitan authority is established to guide and control development at a strategic level.

2, IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISM FOR REGIONAL PLANNING
Define operation and funding procedures (see finance) on the understanding that the plans and programmes of subordinate administrations will comply with the guidance and directions given strategic plans. Clearly define legal status and functional responsibilities of the liaison committee in relation to the administrations, and the means to enforce committee decisions.

3, PERIPHERAL GROWTH POLES
If appropriate, target selected peripheral areas as growth poles (satellites) and coordinate their priority development with other strategic plans (economic, transport and infrastructure in particular)

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III INTERNATIONAL LESSON (draw from a comparison with Paris, London, Vancouver, etc.)

1, EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE: Provision of strategic level infrastructure (roads, rail, water and solid waste disposal) can be more efficient if managed by a regional agency such as London Transport in London, Translink in Vancouver, and Syndicat des Transports d'Ile de France (STIF) in Paris.

2, EFFICIENT LANDUSE: shortage of available land need not be a constraint to city development and can be resolved with policies to encourage more compact development of higher densities whilst maintaining high standards in quality of life.

3, ENVIRONMENT: In all regions, environment requires a cross cutting approach that operates at a strategic level throughout the region. Often this is best achieved by establishing an environmental agency at the metropolitan level.

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IV IMPORTANT MAPS:
1, Chengdu Metropolitan Region_P144
2, Spatial Distribution of Towns and Cities in Chengdu Metropolitan Urban Region_P155
3, Chengdu: Railway Transport Network Plan, 2035_P174