The development of Chinese planning theory since the 1978: a thematic perspective

Abstract

The year 1978, when China initiated its policy of reform and opening-up, marks a distinct turning point in the history of urban planning in modern China. A new Chinese urban planning system, with its values, ethics, approaches, laws, regulations and so on, has gradually formed since that time. A set of Chinese planning theory also emerges within this system development. This set of theory ‘is interpreted as the values, principles and working procedures which conduct planning practices’ (Zhang, 2008) by Chinese planners. This paper will mainly discuss Chinese planning theory.