ECONOMY

China Unveils Sweeping Five-Year Urban Renewal Plan

Published: May. 29, 2026 4:26 p.m. GMT+8

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Workers from a construction company reinforce a run-down building in a residential compound in Luyang district, Hefei. Photo: VCG

China has unveiled its 2026-2030 urban renewal plan, outlining major targets for housing upgrades and infrastructure renovation as it shifts from expansion-driven growth to city upgrading.

The plan calls for renovating 500,000 run-down urban homes, upgrading 115,000 old residential communities, and revamping 4,000 urban villages. It also includes upgrading 365,000 kilometers of underground pipelines.

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China's 2026-2030 urban renewal plan targets renovating 500,000 homes, 115,000 communities, and 4,000 villages.
It includes upgrading 365,000 km of underground pipelines, with ~5 trillion yuan ($737 billion) investment.
Local governments can use special-purpose bonds; property stocks rose after the announcement.

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What Happened When

2026：: China plans to renovate 500,000 run-down urban homes, upgrade 115,000 old residential communities, revamp 4,000 urban villages, and allow local governments to use special-purpose bonds for eligible urban renewal projects.

2026–2030：: China's urban renewal plan covers this five-year period, with expected investment of about 5 trillion yuan ($737 billion) in underground pipeline construction and upgrades.

By 2026：: China aims to upgrade 365,000 kilometers of underground pipelines.

From 2026 onwards：: Authorities plan to unlock idle land, unfinished projects, and vacant properties, and encourage developers to participate in urban renewal.

Starting in 2026：: China aims to build a sustainable financing system combining fiscal support, financial support, and private capital participation.

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