Urbanization in China

According to the UN Secretariat's Department of Economic and Social Affairs, by 2050, about 70% of the world's population will live in cities. As the city continues to expand, economic growth is expected to grow faster and faster. Urbanization is one of the most complex and urgent challenges that China will face in the next few decades. At present, Chinese has more than half of the population living in the city, according to the latest Urban Planning Report, this proportion is expected to increase in 2050 to 76%, nearly 300 million people in China in the next 35 years will move from countryside to city.

The urbanization process has brought many great challenges, such as the serious environmental pollution and inequality caused by the household registration system. As the population of cities increases, these challenges are becoming increasingly serious. In response to these challenges, China considers to carry out systemic governance reforms, while governments and the citizen increasingly use technology as a new solution to these city challenges. China has introduced multiple copies of government documents, collectively referred to as "Internet +" strategy "or wisdom of the city planning. However, the main concerns of many smart city projects remain at the infrastructure level, but I think the smart city strategy and planning need to address the challenges beyond infrastructure. The central government should begin encouraging bottom-up innovations in information and communication technologies. For example, more flexible ways to shorten commuting time so that the public can get more leisure time to participate in local community activities. What's more, it can make more space for the green area for planting and make the intelligent city more self-sufficient.