Urban China Reframed: A Critical Appreciation

Urban China Reframed: A Critical Appreciation provides a critical review of existing urban China research, focusing on decontextualized theories and concepts from the West. It offers epistemological, theoretical, and methodological contributions to address these limitations, discussing topics such as model interpretation in a strong party-state, neoliberalism in China, urban ideology, rural-urban migration, town-country relations, and territorial development in the Pearl River Delta. The book aims to enhance the theoretical understanding of urban China.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

With China's rapid economic growth and massive urbanization, it is impossible to ignore the significant transformations taking place in urban areas across the country. This book serves as a critical evaluation of existing research on urban China, highlighting its shortcomings due to the decontextualized application of theories and concepts developed in the West. Urban China Reframed: A Critical Appreciation offers epistemological, theoretical, and methodological contributions to address these limitations.

The first chapter delves into the widespread use of models in urban studies, particularly in China. The country has embraced models such as the city system, zones, and global city in its socio-economic development efforts. However, the question arises as to how these models can be interpreted in the context of a strong party-state where knowledge production is tightly controlled. The chapter explores this issue by examining the ways in which models are employed and the challenges they pose.

The second chapter examines the applicability of neoliberalism to China, a topic of significant debate. While neoliberalism has been widely adopted in many parts of the world, its effectiveness in China is still a matter of contention. The chapter explores the various arguments for and against neoliberalism in China and examines its potential implications for urban development.

The third chapter focuses on urban ideology in China, a topic that is often overlooked in existing research. The chapter seeks to contextualize urban ideology within the unique political and social context of China, exploring the debates about the differentiation between the city and urbanization and their relevance to the country.

The fourth chapter examines the massive rural-urban migration that has taken place
place within China's mega rural-urban dual system, an institution that has persisted since the 1950s. The chapter explores the manifestations of this migration in contemporary China, including the challenges and opportunities it presents for urban development.

The fifth chapter examines the town-country divide in China, a phenomenon that has similarities to the town-country divide in the West. The chapter explores the historical roots.

The sixth chapter examines the territorial development in the Pearl River Delta, known as the world's factory, under the auspices of the state. The chapter explores the ways in which the state has influenced the region's economic and social development and examines the challenges and opportunities it presents for urbanization.

The collection of essays in this volume contributes to the theoretical understanding of urban China. The chapters in this book were originally published in the Eurasian Geography and Economics.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367706470