Ministry rolls out rules for business districts

The Ministry of Commerce released a guideline on Aug 11 regarding the development of business districts in Chinese cities, saying that large-scale demolition and reconstruction should be avoided.

The guideline said that the overall scale of business districts in a city must be determined according to the city’s economic development level, population and its demand for consumption.

The number of newly built or expanded commercial buildings in oversaturated business districts located in urban centers must be strictly controlled, while efforts should be prioritized to promote business development in communities, it said.

It noted that the development of urban business districts should follow the law of business development. Further, builders should refrain from only pursuing the construction of tall buildings and avoid large-scale razing and reconstruction.

Business districts should coordinate with a city’s functions and living environment while commercial activities provided by such areas should match residents’ demands, it added.

The guideline also mandated efforts to explore the establishment of a governance model for urban business districts that would involve government guidance, self-discipline and consistency among business proprietors and industries, and supervision and feedback from society.