Features and trends of urbanization in Central China: Based on an empirical study of towns and villages in the northern Anhui province, China

Abstract

In the last 30 years, China has experienced a rapid and unique urbanization process. However, there is no a uniform Chinese way in urbanization. Clues found in Fuyang City in Anhui province reveal that urbanization in Central China is experiencing a transformation. The paper bases on an empirical investigation in Fuyang City, which bases on data of the city's 120 towns and townships (T&Ts), further surveys in 6 representative T&Ts, as well as deep visits with functionaries in the city. In the light of the findings in Fuyang City, the paper tries to figure out and depict a new urbanization pattern rising in the Central China, when more extensive materials are scanned and analyzed. As the conclusion, a possible new pattern, “emigrating urbanization” plus “local intensive urbanization” is defined as the rising urbanization way in Central China, based on which future challenges and advises are provided in the end of the paper.