Belt and Road Initiative as Epochal Regionalisation

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a Chinese project that creates cross-border corridors for trade and infrastructure, reshaping globalisation, urbanisation, and development. This book examines its impacts through case studies and offers policy recommendations to make it a global public good with more benefits and fewer risks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 88 pages
Publication date: 08 April 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), initiated by China in 2013, encompasses a wide range of regional dimensions and transformative projects that have far-reaching global, national, and local consequences. The BRI's regional significance lies in its designation and creation of several cross-border corridors that originate within China and extend into its neighboring countries, as well as those further afield in Asia, Africa, and Europe. By driving and facilitating new trade and infrastructure connections along and beyond these corridors, the BRI has begun to reshape the master processes of globalization, urbanization, and development, affecting the economic, social, and spatial fortunes of numerous countries and cities.

This book serves two primary purposes. Firstly, it examines the impacts of the BRI on globalization, urbanization, and development through a novel framework and three case studies. The China-Europe Freight Train, the paired construction of a new city and railway across the China-Laos borderland, and the port-park-city development corridor between Djibouti and Ethiopia are used as examples to explore the diverse ways in which the BRI is shaping global connectivity.

Secondly, the book employs a comparative analysis and evidence-based approach to provide policy recommendations for targeted stakeholders who can work towards transforming the BRI into a global public good with increased benefits and reduced risks. By leveraging the strengths and addressing the challenges associated with the BRI, policymakers, businesses, and civil society can contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable global development landscape.

The BRI represents a significant shift in the global geopolitical landscape, offering opportunities for economic growth, cultural exchange, and cooperation. However, it also presents challenges such as environmental degradation, social inequality, and geopolitical tensions. By engaging in open dialogue, promoting transparency, and adopting responsible practices, stakeholders can help ensure that the BRI achieves its potential as a force for positive change in the world.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive examination of the BRI's regional and global impacts, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of cross-border infrastructure development. By advocating for targeted policy interventions and promoting sustainable practices, we can work towards making the BRI a global public good that benefits all nations and communities.

Weight: 168g
ISBN-13: 9780367709556