Developers in Beijing are becoming more sophisticated in planning and designing projects as a result of strict government controls and growing demand for quality.
Kenny Suen Wai-cheung, director of the building consultancy department at Vigers Hong Kong, said there had been a dramatic shift in the mentality and approach of developers in recent years.
Property companies can no longer afford to overlook the importance of good design and planning, which determines the success or failure of a project, he said.
In the market boom of the early 1990s, prices soared on rampant speculative buying and development, regardless of quality.
Many of the 'so-called' developers at the time came from the manufacturing or services sectors, and had no property development experience. They paid little or no attention to design and planning.
In the past, incurring losses was not a concern of those developers, Mr Suen said.