China releases latest land-saving catalog

China released its fifth batch of recommended land-saving technologies and models on National Land Day. The catalog, which was published by the Ministry of Natural Resources on Thursday, features 48 typical cases from 22 provincial-level regions aimed at improving land use efficiency and promoting green transformation of economic and social development.

According to the ministry, during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), China's construction land area per unit of GDP decreased by 19.36 percent, exceeding the expected target of 15 percent.

Thirteen of the 48 cases focus on revitalizing fragmented idle industrial plots and redeveloping underutilized urban land. The Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province, for example, increased the comprehensive carrying capacity per unit of land through public function integration, deep underground space development and architectural integration of energy facilities, enabling multiple functions within concentrated layouts and minimizing the need for additional land.

Twenty-two of the cases emphasize three-dimensional development — from multistory factories and elevated warehouses to bridge underpass revitalization. In Changsha, Hunan province, the five major urban districts surveyed and transformed existing bridge underpass spaces, revitalizing around 12,000 square meters of auxiliary areas to fill gaps in urban functions without increasing construction land.

Eight cases focus on technological innovation in infrastructure and mineral extraction. The Dingyuan county railway station in Chuzhou, Anhui province, adopted a cross-over three-dimensional design that interconnects with the existing station on the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway, achieving dual-station interconnection and resource sharing to improve land use efficiency.

Five cases emphasize functional transformation, converting industrial land and heritage sites to new uses. The Honghuadi wharf project in Wanzhou district, Chongqing, phased out its cargo operations and adopted a layered development approach. By integrating urban transport, public green space and commercial facilities, it has transformed a single-use waterfront into a vibrant urban corridor while preserving the area's historic architectural character.

In recent years, the ministry has promoted five batches totaling 132 land-saving technologies and models, effectively mobilizing local enthusiasm for economical and intensive land use.

The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) proposed promoting and applying land-saving technologies and models. The ministry said it will make these technologies "usable and abundant", establish standards and systems, ensure practical incentives and support, and pursue technological innovation to drive iteration, expansion and implementation of land-saving approaches.