Housing the knowledge economy in China: An examination of housing provision in support of science parks

Miao, J. T. (2017) Housing the knowledge economy in China: An examination of housing provision in support of science parks. Urban Studies, 54(6), pp. 1426-1445. (doi: 10.1177/0042098015627106)

Abstract

Little attention is paid in the extant academic literature to the question of housing knowledge workers despite the potential mismatches between housing supply and demand. This paper provides an initial examination of housing the knowledge economy in China, focusing on three science parks (SPs): Zhongguancun (Z-Park, Beijing), Zhangjiang (Z-SHIP, Shanghai) and Optics Valley of China (OVC, Wuhan). It discusses to what extent, and how these three SPs have factored in the housing dimension in connection with the knowledge economy, paying particular attention to housing affordability, location (inside the SPs or outside in the wider city-region) and the mode of provision (market or state). Insights were drawn from documentary analysis and in-depth interviews in the three chosen case studies. Initial evaluation of policies geared towards housing supply in China suggests that the housing question needs to come to the fore in discussions of structural transformation towards the knowledge economy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by Regional Studies Association’s Early Career Grant Scheme (November 2013 Round).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Miao, Dr Tian
• Authors: Miao, J. T.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Urban Studies
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0042-0980
• ISSN (Online): 1360-063X
• Published Online: 02 February 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 Urban Studies Journal Limited
• First Published: First published in Urban Studies 2016
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy