Urban and Rural Housing Systems in China: Evolution and Future Prospects

Abstract

Housing in urban and rural areas in China has been different in many ways since the PRC was founded. First, cost is different. The cost for urban housing is high and that for rural housing is low. Second, construction standards are different. Urban housing features apartment buildings and rural housing courtyard structure. Third, quality and functions are different. Compared with urban housing, rural housing features low quality and low complete set ratio. Fourth, environment is different. Compared with urban housing, rural infrastructure is poor, the living environment is disorderly and public services are of a low level. Fifth, as a sub-system of the general economic system, China’s urban and rural housing systems, like many others, differ from place to place and segmented.