China's urbanization at the crossroads: Institutional mechanism and policy transformation

Abstract

For the first time in the history China had more urban than rural residents in 2011. China's urbanization has distinct features including highly mixed urban and rural space, a massive flow of rural-to-urban migration and a phenomenal addition of new urban areas. Urbanization brings both benefits and problems to China and its people. Many concerns have arisen after thirty years of rapid and complex urbanization. In order to study China's urbanization, domestic and global economic, political, historical, and sociological perspectives have to be incorporated. In many countries urbanization has been strongly influenced by globalization, marketization, and industrialization. China presents a different case spatially, demographically, and more importantly, institutionally. This article constructs a theoretical inquiry of the institutional mechanism of China's urbanization by integrating previous studies on various aspects of China's urbanization and proposing a conceptual framework. Questions are asked to investigate the internal and external drive, institutional mechanism and arrangement, and consequences of urbanization. With new features and challenges of China's urbanization being studied, policy changes will be proposed to mitigate negative outcomes and adjust the trajectory of urbanization in China. This article will enhance the theoretical understanding of China's urbanization and provide direction for future development.