There is an "urgent need" for a detailed policy to navigate the country's social housing program for the underprivileged, experts said on Wednesday.

The program, designed to offer affordable housing to low-income residents, is essential if the dream of "harmonious cities and livable life" is to become a reality, they said.

"Harmonious Cities and Livable Life" was the theme of the Expo 2010 Shanghai's sixth forum, which ended on Thursday. Some 700 government officials, industry experts and journalists participated in the dialogue.

With an aim to control the country's skyrocketing property prices and help the poor with better housing, China has allocated more than 60 billion yuan (US$8.97 billion) to build 5.8 million indemnificatory apartments, including low-rent housing, public rental housing and resettlement housing for relocated residents from redeveloped urban shantytowns.

However, experts at the forum argued that the provision of affordable housing requires a detailed implementation program to ensure its success.

"Detailed regulations for the program have yet to be drafted," said Vincent H.S. Lo, Shui On Group's chairman.

"A feasible policy is needed to ensure that only those really in need could benefit," he added.

For instance, assets and incomes of those applying for low-cost housing should be transparent and ready for scrutiny. Besides, punishments must be spelled out for applicants who are found unqualified for the scheme.

Kong Qingwei, president of Shanghai Chengtou Corporation, stressed the government's role in helping the poor with proper housing.

"We must allocate high and middle-end commercial property by the invisible hand of the market while developing economical housing with the visible hand of the government," he said. "The aim is to ensure a home for every family."

Zhang Kunmin, vice-president of Chinese Society for Sustainable Development, zeroed in on the priority of energy-saving buildings in the course of urbanization and building harmonious cities.

"The main goal is to reduce carbon emissions, but energy conservation also represents a revolution in economics, energy consumption and the quality of human life," he said.

"Buildings account for half of the world's energy consumption," he added. "In China, authorities should arrange for qualified institutions to study the issue in detail."

(China Daily October 8, 2010)