Dilemma of pursuing livability in China’s urban planning: the case of Longguicheng housing estate in Guangzhou

Livability is pivotal when planning human habitations. Sustainable planning strategies have been gradually adopted to enhance the livability of built environments, especially in the context of developing countries with a continuously improving planning system. Unlike other spontaneously developed low-income housing estates (e.g., urban villages) in China, subsidized housing estates (SHEs) are entirely planned and dictated by local governments and that may be significantly affected by urban planning policies and practices. However, the role of urban planning in achieving the livability of SHEs has yet to be fully investigated. By focusing on a pilot project of SHEs in Guangzhou, this study attempts to identify the extent and rationale of planning impacts on the livability of the SHEs. The study concludes that, although the updated planning policies and schemes encouraged public participation and livability, their achievements still hinged on the institutional environment in Socialist Marketized China. Consequently, the implementation of SHE plans encountered several challenges, resulting in insignificant improvements in livability from planning. This study provides an in-depth understanding of urban planning and its impacts on livability in the context of developing countries with a continuously developing planning system.