European planning is now represented in China

Abstract

Driven by a reduced rate of population growth and a move of young people out of rural villages, China is refocusing its spatial planning policies from accommodating urban expansion towards urban regeneration and rural revitilisation. Following an invitation by Zhejiang University to host a representative office of the European Council of Spatial Planners (ECTP-CEU) in China, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to facilitate exchange of planning expertise. The commitment by the Chinese partner to Charters of ECTP-CEU on European Planning and Participatory Democracy form the basis for mutual learning during the period of the MoU. Building on existing comparative research an example of mutual benefit (how best to protect traditional villages) is explored while the ECTP-CEU model of eight competency areas for the professional planner will be used as a basis for exchanging information on planning education.