Construction processes to be streamlined

Application and review processes for construction projects will be streamlined nationwide, and a unified procedure will be established that will cut the current process time in half, a senior official said on Monday.

The time needed to get approval for construction projects differs widely across the country. In some regions, the procedure is time-consuming and complicated, making a unified procedure necessary, Huang Yan, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural development, said at a news conference of the State Council Information Office.

The unified procedure will have four parts, including land use permits, engineering and construction approvals, and final acceptance upon completion. To speed up procedures and launch construction projects earlier, authorities will be asked to list their requirements and standards for various kinds of construction projects and make them public, she said. "Previously, some small projects had to go through the same procedures as big ones, which is unnecessary. With the reform, detailed procedures for different projects will be drafted according to category and size," Huang said.

She also said an inspection and approval system shared by different government departments will be established in each region with one-stop service.

Previously, developers could only apply for water, heating and power after construction was completed. After the reform, they will be able to do that upon getting construction approval, she said.

The conditions in different regions of China differ. "More than 10 cities, including large and medium-sized ones from different parts of the country, will be chosen to pilot the reform. These cities will report problems they encounter to the ministry so that tailored policies can be drafted," Huang said.

She said suggestions from the pilot cities will be collected to amend national laws to provide a legal basis for the reforms.