What is Urban About Urban China and India?

Abstract

This chapter scrutinizes the meanings and consequences of urban versus rural classifications for residents and localities in the China and India. It discusses how China currently adopts a rather broad definition of urban localities that is based entirely on administrative status. The chapter also explains why India has been using a rather strict urban definition based on administrative status, population size, density, and non-agricultural employment. It talks about the benefits of gaining urban status in China that are substantial for both residents and localities. It also assesses the benefits of urban classification in India that are uncertain and residents that either demand or resist being classified as urban depending on what they will gain or lose. The chapter analyzes the differences that manifest the presence of strong territorial institutions in Chinese cities and their lack in Indian cities.