‘Good housing’ has redirected the focus of housing provision policy from quantity to quality

Today, with rising living standards and mounting environmental pressures, people demand more from housing than just a roof over their heads. They want homes that reflect modern lifestyles and meet long-term needs, nurturing life in richer and more sustainable ways.

In China, this shift is increasingly embodied in the concept of “good housing”, representing a profound rethinking of urban planning and real estate development. In recent years, national policies have clearly redirected the focus of housing provision: from the fundamental question of “Do people have homes?” to the more sophisticated inquiry of “Are these homes good?” Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the new policy priorities center on the steady development of safer, more comfortable, greener and smarter housing, marking a decisive shift from speed-driven growth to quality-oriented development. This transformation reflects China’s new stage of urbanization, where the core task is no longer to prioritize housing supply scale for expansion, but to comprehensively improve living conditions for urban residents. Outdated, speed-driven construction can no longer meet public expectations. People now seek healthier indoor environments, with well-designed layouts, improved neighborhood amenities and seamless daily experiences supported by digital technology. “Good housing” is therefore not an empty slogan, but a concrete response to evolving public needs and a guiding principle for the next stage of urban development.

Conceptually, “good housing” embodies universally shared values. Its foundation is safety: homes must be structurally sound, resistant to earthquakes, storms and other natural hazards, and equipped with reliable fire safety and emergency response systems. Comfort is built upon safety. Comfort represents not luxury, but human dignity. Sensible floor plans, ample natural light and ventilation, effective sound insulation, and designs friendly to the elderly, children and people with disabilities together transform a dwelling into a truly livable home.

The environmental dimension is equally essential. As climate change intensifies and resources become scarcer, housing can no longer be viewed merely as a one-way consumer of energy and materials. From building materials and energy systems to water use and waste management, housing should aim for lower carbon emissions and a lighter environmental footprint throughout its life cycle. Meanwhile, digital technology is steering housing toward smarter, more connected living: smart devices, community platforms and data-enabled management enhance daily convenience, improve energy efficiency and make public and commercial services more responsive and accessible.

From a global standpoint, numerous countries have explored these paths for years. Germany and the Nordic nations, for example, have drastically cut residential energy use through strict building codes and promotion of “passive house” standards; Japan, a country prone to earthquakes, has continually updated its seismic regulations and retrofitting initiatives; Singapore has woven ecological principles into its dense urban landscape via its Green Mark certification and extensive vertical greening. These examples demonstrate that safety, comfort, green performance and smart technology are not isolated goals, but interconnected components of a coherent system. ?

Turning these concepts into reality, however, requires more than minor tweaks to technical standards. It demands a complete overhaul of the housing development chain — from planning and design to construction and long-term management. In China’s practice, this means defining “good housing” through more precise regulations and evaluation frameworks, so that all stakeholders — developers, designers, contractors and homebuyers — understand clear quality benchmarks. It means refocusing design on residents’ actual needs and habits, rather than short-term marketing ploys, and encouraging innovation in building materials and energy systems to create homes that use less energy, last longer and generate clean power where possible. It has also involved adopting digital tools and intelligent construction technologies to ensure quality and reduce waste, while shifting focus from one-time delivery to the building’s entire lifecycle. This means strengthening property management and integrating services such as elderly care, childcare and community activities.

Similar lifecycle thinking is taking hold in many advanced economies. The United Kingdom and France, for instance, use long-term maintenance funds and mandatory safety and energy inspections to ensure homes meet basic standards decades after construction; in the Netherlands and Denmark, resident input has become a key part of neighborhood renewal. These practices offer valuable lessons as China builds a more comprehensive housing quality system. ?

What makes this transformation truly significant is that it goes beyond bricks and mortar to touch on how people envision a good urban life. When residents talk about their ideal home, they’re often describing their ideal community: green spaces for kids to play, easy access to public services, safe and welcoming streets, and the chance to age with dignity in their own neighborhoods. In this sense, “good housing” acts as a bridge between the private sphere of the home and the public sphere of the city. It shapes not just the indoor living quality, but also urban rhythms, community bonds and a city’s ability to attract talent and investment. ?

The global impact of China’s “good housing” agenda should not be overlooked. Across Europe, Asia and the Americas, many economies are implementing stricter building safety standards and green certification schemes, while grappling with similar challenges: renovating aging housing stock, ensuring new developments are sustainable, and making sure technological advances actually improve daily life — not just add complexity or cost. China’s explorations add a unique perspective to this global dialogue. Its efforts to integrate safety, comfort, green performance and smart technology within a unified policy framework offer useful insights for other countries looking to upgrade their housing sectors — especially those undergoing rapid urbanization and structural change. ?

Ultimately, the shift from simply “having a home” to “l(fā)iving well in a home” reflects a broader redefinition of development. Economic progress is no longer measured solely by how many buildings are erected, but by whether these buildings support healthier, safer and more fulfilling lives. A city’s true strength lies not only in its skyline, but in the sense of security, dignity, and belonging felt in every household. If the pursuit of “good housing” can align public policy, market practice, and social expectations around this people-centered vision, it will do more than improve homes’ physical quality. It can anchor a more sustainable form of urbanization — one in which housing provides a stable, warm foundation for people’s aspirations.

The author is a researcher at the Institute of Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

The author contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.