(Purpose) China is the fastest-paced country in the world for urbanization. At the end of 2018, the urbanization rate reached 59.58%, and the urbanization rate increased nearly six times compared to the beginning of the country. Since reform and openi...
(Purpose) China is the fastest-paced country in the world for urbanization. At the end of 2018, the urbanization rate reached 59.58%, and the urbanization rate increased nearly six times compared to the beginning of the country. Since reform and opening, green areas have been rapidly reduced along with urban development pressure, which has intensified problems such as urban heat islandation, urban noise and fine dust, and reduced rest areas, and the Chinese government is strengthening its policy. This paper aims to examine the Chinese government s management system for efficiently managing urban forests and derive policy implications as an effective countermeasure to solve urban problems from an institutional perspective. (Design/methodology/approach) To analyze the management system of urban forests in China, first examine the concept of urban forests, understand the institutional basis by examining major laws and regulations related to urban forests, and analyze changes in the management of urban forests linked to government reorganization. (Findings) China clearly defines the concept of urban forests and promotes systematic legislation for the creation, protection, and utilization of urban forests. The management system of urban forests has been changed from a pluralistic distributed management system to a dual intensive management system. It implements an incentive system for the creation and management of urban forests. (Research implications or Originality) Since the spatial scope of various urban green areas is ambiguous and there is a possibility that the management entities may collide, the government-wide efforts should be continued to simplify the management entities for urban forests and to promote efficient policies.