Theories and Methods of China's Land-Using Planning
Planning is a long-term and comprehensive arrangement for objects and the development process of a phenomenon. The main task of planning includes what to do (the key task), what degree to reach (the level), what results to get (the objective), how to do it (policy and measures), where to do it (layout of space), etc. Normally a complete planning consists of six parts, or what we call ¡°six factors¡± of planning, they are, basic situation, general thoughts (guiding ideas and planning principles), goals (general goal and targets), key points of developing, major projects and finally, policies and measures. All planning have four functions in common. First, it is a means of macro adjustment. Therefore, it enables people to better follow objective laws by adjusting objects and phenomenon according to their own laws. Second, by regularizing and manipulating the behavior (government behavior included) during the development process of objects and phenomenon, planning makes itself one of the common behavior principles. Third, planning is able to guide social resources, so that they are input to the directions and key areas specified in the planning. Fourth, planning serves as a glue. Planning is a process of reaching agreements. To reach a basic agreement, we have to coordinate with various interest groups, so as to ensure everyone strives for the same specific goal. There are five features about planning. They are: authority, meaning once planning is made, it has certain restrictions and everyone related should comply to it; specification, planning should state its conclusion of basic agreements in specific words; subjectivity, planning is the arrangement for future, yet due to limitations of insufficient information, lack of recognition, environmental factor and other uncertainties, we can not predict or control future completely and effectively; transparency, the making of planning and the final achievements should have wide social involvement and be open to the public; lastly, being both scientific and practical, planning should be conducted according to the development laws of objects and phenomenon, but not surpass their development phase, or run against scientific laws.
