Cities for the future
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Thinking unrealistically big is characteristic of many cities' development strategy.
This finds expression in the blueprints of 183 of more than 200 prefecture-level cities that want to develop into international cities. In the minds' eye of the authorities of these governments, skyscrapers, five-star, or even seven-star, hotels, and grand convention centers seem to define an international city.
No wonder that these cities' territories increased 70 percent in the seven years from 2001 to 2007 when the urban population only grew by around 30 percent during the same period.
If this represents the major orientation of China's urbanization, which will advance even faster in the decade to come, the central government needs to act decisively to reverse it.
To be frank, the authorities of these cities are not clear-minded enough to define what an international city is, nor can they explain why a prefecture-level city even needs to become an international metropolis.
What they actually want are the enormous profits to be had from the sales of land and the huge construction projects, both of which usually provide plenty of opportunities for officials at different levels to get their hands on dirty money.
By placing the emphasis on fancy buildings, streets and huge squares the leaders of these cities have demonstrated an irresponsible attitude. If urbanization develops in this way, there will certainly be a great waste of resources and manpower.
The imagined international city that the majority of city mayors cherish indicates that they are yet to develop a sense of civic responsibility, which is of vital importance as they decide the orientation of their cities' development in the future.
It is not really necessary for these city leaders to know the definition of an international metropolis, it is far more important for them to know whether the cities they are planning will provide enough jobs in the future and whether these cities will provide residents with a livable environment.
As urbanization is essential for China's future sustainable development, urban planners must be visionary and take into account the future needs of residents - water conservation, the environment, air quality, healthcare facilities, garbage disposal and so on. As the world's most populous nation, making cities as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible makes a huge difference, not just to the future of this country, but also to the world at large.
To prevent these mayors from putting in practice their blueprints for personal gain, the central government as well as the general public must make sure unpractical urban development plans are denied and the mayors involved are educated about the country's urbanization and sustainable development.
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