Urban development in post-reform China: Insights from Beijing

One of the major concerns of rapid urban development in China is its adverse effect on the historical and cultural heritage. The present study investigates the post-reform urban redevelopment in inner districts of Beijing. The main objective is to understand physical, social and economic issues related to redevelopment. Planning and conservation initiatives of local authorities are also discussed. The study is primarily based on secondary sources, discussions with experts, and field visits and meetings with people in traditional alleys (hutongs) and courtyard houses (siheyuans). The economic reforms process with its emphasis on real estate and housing development as engines of economic growth has been an instrumental force in demolition and redevelopment of traditional neighbourhoods. The vision of making Beijing into a global city capable of hosting international events such as the Olympic Games further compounds the problem.

Keywords:

• Beijing
• China
• inner-city redevelopment
• urbanization

Notes

The study was undertaken between February and November 2004 at the Institute of Industrial Economics (IIE) in Beijing under a fellowship provided by the Asian Scholarship Foundation, Bangkok.

‘Potential urbanization’ is a new concept put forward by Chinese scholars, and refers to a population group that is in the process of transformation from the primary sector (agriculture) to the non-primary sector but which cannot move to cities because of restrictions on migration.

Hukou is a residence permit system and helps in identifying the permanent residents of a place. The residence permit allows access to certain state benefits to permanent residents. It has been used as an instrument to control migration from rural to urban areas.

Jasper Goldman, in a discussion after the screening of the documentary ‘From hutong to High-Rise’ at Tsinghua University Beijing, 22 June 2004.

An experimental redevelopment project in the inner city of Beijing started in 1987. The project received the ARCASIA 1992 Gold Medal Award for Architectural Excellence and the 1992 World Habitat Award.