From redesigned urban villages in Chengdu to smart eco-friendly blocks in Shanghai, China’s housing sector has been on a transformative ride during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025).
According to Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong, the country rolled out roughly 5 billion square meters of new commercial housing—about 11 million units—that have filled skylines and welcomed families across the Chinese mainland. Another wave of government-subsidized and redeveloped homes has lifted living standards for more than 30 million people.
This construction boom powered an output value of 32.7 trillion yuan in 2024, with added value hitting 9 trillion yuan. Innovative projects like the Beijing Winter Olympic venues highlight how modern techniques and digital solutions are reshaping the build environment.
Second-hand home sales have also gained momentum: 15 provincial-level regions now report higher resale activity than new-home purchases, reflecting a maturing market that offers flexibility and choice for young buyers.
Renovation drives have been equally massive. More than 110 million residents have benefited from upgrades to 240,000 old residential communities, including 129,000 new elevators, 3.4 million parking spaces and 64,000 community service hubs for elderly care and childcare. Underground water, gas and heating networks spanning 840,000 kilometers were modernized to enhance safety and efficiency.
Looking ahead, Minister Ni Hong says the focus will shift to quality: building safe, comfortable, eco-friendly and smart homes that respond to evolving needs. Integrated city “health checks” and high-efficiency urban governance models will steer the next wave of sustainable growth.
For young global citizens, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and digital nomads, China’s housing overhaul shows how large-scale planning and tech-driven innovation can reshape communities. As the world watches, these developments offer lessons in blending growth with quality, sustainability and social impact.
Reference(s):
Chinese people's housing conditions further improved over past 5 years
cgtn.com
