Investment in China's urban areas was 26.4% higher in the first five months of this year than a year earlier, due in part to spending on power stations and railway construction, Bloomberg reported, citing government data. The cumulative growth rate has increased every month of this year. Investment in coal projects and railways surged 83% and 58% respectively. Spending on electricity, natural gas and water projects increased 34%. Real estate, one of the main sectors targeted by Beijing's efforts to curb investment, saw a 24% rise in investment.