The central government laid out plans to improve urban management and reform the related law enforcement system in a guideline issued on Dec 30.

The reform is important for improving governance and necessary to boost urban development transformation, said the guideline.

It aims to put urban management agencies at city- and county-level governments under a standardized system by the end of 2017, and establish a comprehensive legal system on urban management by 2020.

To fulfill that goal, the guideline urged overhauling urban management agencies at city- and county-level governments and integrating related duties in the municipal infrastructure, sanitation, landscaping and law enforcement.

In order to improve law enforcement, the guideline called on city- and county-level urban management authorities to frame and publish lists clarifying powers and duties by the end of 2016.

It also called on all cities and counties to create digital platforms by 2017, which will integrate information of public facilities and basic public services by utilizing modern information technologies.

To innovate ways of governance, the guideline encourages cooperation between government and social capital to push forward a market-oriented operation of municipal infrastructure and public transportation.

The guideline also urged strengthening legislation on urban management and law enforcement and improving financial support.