Spatial Planning Reform in China: The Multi-Plan Integration (MPI) Reform

Compared to many other countries, China has a very complicated spatial planning system. This is mainly reflected in the multi-horizontal and multi-vertical structure. Vertically, it comprises five administrative levels: national, provincial, prefecture, county, and township. Horizontally, it encompasses four or more distinct major plans found at each level. Administrative processes and procedures frequently cut-through horizontal and vertical boundaries, adding complexity that results in four forms of fragmentation:
(1) actor fragmentation because there is limited flexibility for each administrative unit to align its plans with other units;
(2) policy fragmentation, with multiple and sometimes conflicting spatial plans and planning laws existing simultaneously;
(3) spatial fragmentation with inconsistencies in zoning of different land types; and
(4) time fragmentation characterized by conflicts between short- and long-term development goals.
The result is an inefficient planning system that requires tremendous coordination for project approval and implementation. A reform of the spatial planning system, known as the Multi-Plan Integration Reform (MPI), arose in the 1990s and continues until today. This contribution explains the origin, evolution, and the results.