Evaluating the ‘Dipiao’ policy from the perspectives of relocated peasants: an equitable and sustainable approach to urbanisation?

ABSTRACT The city of Chongqing in Southwest China has recently attracted widespread attention for adopting a land-use policy, dipiao, which has radically transformed the rural and urban landscape. Previous research on the impacts of the new scheme on peasants remains inconclusive, which necessitates further qualitative study on whether the policy provides an equitable and sustainable solution to urbanisation. According to the results of semi-structured interviews conducted with 34 relocated peasants, the policy is equitable for all peasants regarding urbanisation. However, economically-disadvantaged peasants struggle with their livelihood after relocation. The findings enrich the understanding of the ongoing urbanisation process in China.