Hengqin New Area's management of urban public spaces and resources under a "Property City" model, which is already being followed elsewhere, will be further developed by a new Strategic Research Center that was announced July 31.

Along with the center unveiling, a Property City White Paper was released at a conference in Hengqin Creative Valley. The system utilizes high-level professionalized, and refined market mechanisms, management, services, and operations of public urban spaces, resources, and public projects that are integrated through professional services, "smart" platforms, and administrative forces. 

Plaque unveiled for strategic research center [Photo courtesy hengqin.gov.cn]

The Strategic Research Center will provide theoretical guidance and standards for the "Property City" model. The White Paper, compiled by the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee and School of Government of Peking University, gives a systematic introduction to innovative Hengqin achievements in "Property City" construction.

The term "Property City" was coined by the Hengqin New Area Administrative Committee in May 2018. In short, the new governance ecosystem is designed "to make urban life better" under a government-led, corporate operation with extensive society participation.

Shen Tiyan, professor at the School of Government of Peking University, called the model a significant exploration into China's social governance, and said the mechanism, evaluation indicators, and technical standards of the operator mode are especially worthy of replication and nationwide promotion.

The all-new, systematic, and practicable social governance solution has already been adopted by Xiong'an New Area in Hubei Province, and Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan, Qingdao, and Xiamen cities.

In addition to the research center and white paper, Hengqin will build a Headquarters Economy Center to further tap into the theoretical, social, and economic values of "Property City" while promoting its advanced concept and experience, according to Li Weihui, deputy Party secretary of Hengqin New Area.