The complexity of high-density neighbourhood development in China: Intensification, deregulation and social sustainability challenges

Wang, Y. and Shaw, D. (2018) The complexity of high-density neighbourhood development in China: Intensification, deregulation and social sustainability challenges. Sustainable Cities and Society, 43, pp. 578-586. (doi: 10.1016/j.scs.2018.08.024)

Abstract

There have been great debates in the literature regarding the advantages and disadvantages of high-density development in the context of sustainable urban form. This paper focuses on the high-density urban neighbourhoods in China and its relationship to the sustainability debate. The creation of an urban neighbourhood in China follows standard procedures. These are set within a hierarchical system of planning. Within this system, several key variables are fundamental determinants of neighbourhood form, such as density and scale of development. Consequently, the typical high-density small-scale development (HDSS) has appeared in many large Chinese cities. A case study within the city of Shenzhen where a significant number of HDSS neighbourhoods have been developed, reveals some trade-offs behind the debate of what is a sustainable urban form, reflecting the varied roles and interests of different stakeholders. Evidence suggests that inadequate consideration has been given to the social dimensions of sustainability in high-density development in China, and this is becoming a great challenge.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The production of this research paper is supported by the UKEconomic and Social Research Council (Grant No. Es/N010981/1)
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wang, Dr Yu
• Authors: Wang, Y., and Shaw, D.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Sustainable Cities and Society
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2210-6707
• ISSN (Online): 2210-6707
• Published Online: 18 August 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Sustainable Cities and Society 43:578-586
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
70602	1	The Re-Making of Chinese Urban Neighbourhoods: Spatial and socio-economic transformations and access to public services in Tianjin, Hangzhou, Chengdu	Ya Ping Wang	Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)	ES/N010981/1	SPS - URBAN STUDIES