Evaluating the sustainable development of urban built environment: Case study of Ningbo, China

Currently, Chinese urban planning experts and academic organizations have developed evaluating methods to assess the sustainable development of the urban built environment of Chinese cities. However, these methods have common disadvantages, such as costly, time-consuming, and difficulties of gathering data. This study develops an evaluating method, which using the China statistic yearbooks as a data source, to assess the sustainable development of the urban built environment of Chinese cities during the past decades. The China Statistic Yearbooks are annually statistical publications, which reflect comprehensively the economic and social development of the last year. They can be accessed easily through government official websites or yearbook platform. Therefore, using China Statistic Yearbooks as a data source is cost-effective and time-saving. The case study city used in this study is Ningbo, a sub-provincial city located in the east part of Zhejiang Province. A general idea of the sustainable development profile of the urban built environment of Ningbo is provided and may help in the decision making of urban managers.