Tracking the policy evolution of China’s rural housing construction from 1993 to 2023

In China, the unsatisfactory rural housing conditions highlights the pressing requirement for improvements in rural housing construction policies. However, there is a significant lack of research focusing on these policies, with insufficient attention given to the complexity of the policy system. This policy review employs network analysis methods to examine China’s rural housing construction policies, specifically focusing on policy agencies, objectives and instruments. The main research findings are: (1) the involvement of seventeen government organisations in policy formulation indicates an enhanced cross-functional cooperation among policy agencies, and the cooperative network shows a core-periphery structural feature; (2) the existing policies are multi-dimensional, with the main objectives changing from housing security of vulnerable groups to rural housing modernisation; (3) mandatory instruments are widely used to ensure housing security for vulnerable groups, while the policy instruments related to rural housing construction modernisation are found to be inappropriate, as they do not effectively address the emerging challenges. By offering a network perspective, this policy review explores the intricate dynamics of policy agencies, objectives and instruments, leading to a deeper understanding of the impact of policy on rural housing construction over time. This understanding facilitates informed decision-making and policy improvements in the realm of rural housing.