China will roll out several initiatives to enhance quality housing construction, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong announced Sunday at a press conference.
At a press conference on people's livelihood, during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), Ni stated that measures would be introduced to develop quality homes that are safe, comfortable, eco-friendly, and smart.
Ni emphasized that robust construction standards are essential to high-quality housing. "The standard determines the housing quality. Recently, we are organizing to compile guidelines for the construction of quality housing, and revise norms for residential projects, which stipulates that storey height shall be raised to no less than three meters," Ni said.
The minister explained that new innovations are essential not only for constructing quality homes but also for driving further technological progress.
"High-quality housing cannot be built without new technology, and can also promote new technology. On the one hand, we will vigorously promote the use of new technologies, new materials, new processes and new products to benefit the people. On the other hand, we must also actively promote whole-house intelligence," he said.
He then announced plans for a nationwide design competition aimed at spurring innovative housing solutions.
"There will be quality housing with different areas and at different prices. We're going to hold a national competition to design quality housing to guide designers to elaborately and creatively design quality housing of different types and areas for a variety of living needs. As a result, the housing can be made full use of and cost-effective. We will encourage cities and enterprises to build and vigorously promote high-quality housing," the minister said.
"I would like to emphasize two points. First, all localities must build quality affordable housing, and governments must take the lead in livelihood projects. Second, we should not only build new housing to be quality, but also take various ways to restore old houses into quality ones in combination with urban renewal projects," Ni said.
China to implement new measures for quality housing: minister
