THE Shenzhen land authority will take back land parcels that have been left idle and undeveloped for more than two years, according to an action plan released recently. Statistics from the Shenzhen planning authority show there are 564 land parcels covering 11.94 kilometers that were sold but have been left idle and undeveloped for more than two years.

Regarding land parcels designated for low-density housing developments, which couldn’t be continued due to changes in national policies, the government will take them back according to the law and provide compensation, in principle, according to market prices. Swapping land parcels for other locations requires the approval of the city government.

Regarding government land that has been left idle due to investment adjustments, the city will take back the land parcels for free.

Land in industrial parks that couldn’t be developed due to changes in development plans will be assessed by the authorities. If the projects fall into the category of restricted projects for development, the government will have the right to take back the land use rights and offer compensation based on land prices. The action plan is set to improve the city’s land use efficiency and establish a long-term supervision mechanism to provide land for the high-quality development of the city’s economy.

(Han Ximin)