The seventh Annual Conference of China Development Economics was held at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology on Nov 24. Li Zuojun, vice-director-general of the Research Institute of Resources and Environment Policies of the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC), highlighted the pivotal role of mechanisms in resolving environmental problems during the process of urbanization.

A lack of mechanisms in resource conservation was partly to blame for the ineffectiveness in environmental protection in the past, said Li. If these mechanisms are implemented, environmental problems in urbanization could be resolved.

Specifically, for resource conservation, it is fundamental to properly define the property rights of natural resources. To protect the environment, the priorities should include stringent pollution and water management, compensation and accountability.

Urbanization, Li stressed, must be steered towards a people-oriented approach to achieve sustainable development. Cities must develop their own features to build up their core competencies in sustainable development so as to avoid ecological abuse.

Urbanization refers to the increasing proportion of urban residents in the population.