Ministry vows public consultation on opening of gated communities

Plans to open Chinese cities' gated residential compounds to traffic will be implemented "gradually" and after public consultation, the housing ministry has vowed, in response to a public outcry on the issue.

On Sunday, central authorities made public guidelines on urban development to deal with problems including congestion and pollution.

The document called for easier access to streets and blocks, saying no more gated residential compounds will be built and that roads in existing residential and corporate compounds will gradually be put to public use.

But the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said in a statement on Wednesday that the directive did not put forward specifics and local governments will "definitely solicit public opinions" before opening compounds.

Citizens' appeals will be dealt with according to law, it said.

Most Chinese urbanites live in communities encircled by walls, keeping traffic outside and restricting entry for security purposes.

"The block system is common practice in developed countries and walled residential communities and public institutions are problematic as they can affect the road network and are among the key reasons for traffic jams," the ministry said in Wednesday's statement. Endi