Construction processes to be streamlined

Application and review processes for construction projects will be streamlined nationwide, and a unified procedure will be established that will cut the current process time in half, a senior official said on Monday.

The time needed to get approval for construction projects differs widely across the country. In some regions, the procedure is time-consuming and complicated, making a unified procedure necessary, Huang Yan, vice-minister of housing and urban-rural development, said at a news conference of the State Council Information Office.

The unified procedure will have four parts, including land use permits, engineering and construction approvals, and final acceptance upon completion. To speed up procedures and launch construction projects earlier, authorities will be asked to list their requirements and standards for various kinds of construction projects and make them public, she said. "Previously, some small projects had to go through the same procedures as big ones, which is unnecessary. With the reform, detailed procedures for different projects will be drafted according to category and size," Huang said.