Advance the Construction of Inclusive Cities for All via Statutory Powers

Abstract

On October 27, 2022, the Act on Accessible Environment Construction of the People’s Republic of China (Draft) was reviewed at the Second Plenary Session of the 37th Meeting of the 13th Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. This is the first law special for the construction of accessible environments in China, indicating the country’s big advance in legislation progress of such constructions. As an essential component to urban development and the improvement of urban environments, accessible environment construction would better ensure the building of inclusive cities for all. The author believes that an inclusive city for all should be warm, accessible, comfortable, and open. Thus, the construction of accessible environment should be an integral part of social development which needs feasible, high-standard solutions. Only guided by the principles of “equality, integration, and sharing,” can we—planners, designers, builders, managers, monitors, etc.—fulfill our duties to realize the envisioned accessible environments.