Model houses are built in a community in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. It is one of 24 communities in Zhejiang which will be built into a future community. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

The government of Zhejiang recently issued a series of measures to accelerate the construction of so-called "future communities" to improve the well-being of locals.

A future community, included in the provincial government report this year, is an urban development project which aims to make cities more people-oriented, environmentally friendly, and digital. 

According to the measures, the province will build around 100 pilot communities by 2021 and implement the project throughout the province by 2022.

"The rapid development and transformation of cities has meant that space needs to be better allocated and utilized," said an official of the provincial commission of development and reform.

The measures require efficient utilization of urban land when building future communities in terms of both floor space and height, and call for the application of intelligent service platforms to make life easier for residents and improve management efficiency.

Future communities will combine neighborhood life, education, healthcare, business, architecture, transportation, energy, property management and community governance.

To ensure construction on the communities goes smoothly, the government will increase funding and seek subsidies from the national government. It will also establish an investment fund for companies interested in contributing.

"More money will boost innovation. We may even be able to maintain a constant temperature and humidity in the communities," said a local official.

Incentives are also included in the measures, such as reduced rent and home prices, to attract skilled workers to live and start businesses in the communities.