Background
Over the preceding decades, the rapid growth of China’s economy necessitated a proliferation of spatial restructuring initiatives to accommodate the evolving needs of urbanisation. Massive urban renewal projects played a key role in transforming city landscapes and driving development.
In recent years, the rapid expansion of real estate led to significant social challenges and accumulating debt, which prompted the central government to began cooling down the market. This sets the tone for a new era of urban development in major Chinese cities, characterized by more subtle and cautious attempts.
Objectives
By adopting an interdisciplinary approach featuring a comparative evaluation of the geopolitical and economic aspects of state-led urban renewal in China, this research aims to explain the evolving dynamics and the methods of urban reformation overtime. The significance of my work lies in obtaining a pertinent insight toward the challenges faced by Chinese cities during the past, and discovering opportunities that will ensure the sustainable redevelopment of urban landscapes in the future.
Methodology
My research method will adopt a mixture of data collection / analysis, literature review, and empirical fieldwork. Government and academic publications will be extensively referenced. I will also visit the redevelopment sites in person and conduct qualitative research through field assessments and interviews.