China City Planning Review (No.3, 2021)

♦A Study on the Protection of Urban Fringe Habitat Units from the Perspective of the Actor-Network Theory

Author: Tang Xizi, Lei Qiuyun, Shenglin Elijah Chang, Bi Linglan, Zhang Yu

Translated by Qian Fang / Proofread by Liu Jian

Abstract: Being an important part of a region’s ecological space, the habitat units on the urban fringe continuously provide multiple services for the city and its residents and guarantee the ecological security of the local territory. Mainly composed of farmlands, secondary woodlands, ditches and ponds, etc., they are typical semi-natural habitat which is subject to the influences of both the human society and the natural environment. As they involve multiple stakeholders and concern complex ownerships, top-down measures are difficult to be implemented, as presented by the Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) phenomenon against protected areas. Based on the Actor-Network Theory, this paper clarifies the intrinsic relationship between the maintenance of urban fringe habitat units and the relevant social elements. Through the case study on Yilan’s practice of protecting and utilizing agricultural and forestry resources in Taiwan, China, the paper explores the community supported management and control strategies for the purposes of enhancing the protection of habitat units and promoting the effectiveness of regional services, which are implemented through the steps of implementing such translation methods as Obligatory Passage Point setting and benefit granting, recruiting and mobilizing relevant actors to form a network, and realizing the substantial protection of habitat units.

Keywords: urban fringe; habitat unit; protection and utilization; actor-network

♦Artistic Urbanism: Multi-Scalar Spatial Governance of Songzhuang Art District by the Local Government 

Author: Zhu Zhao

Edited by Li Caige / Proofread by Liang Sisi

Abstract: Taking Beijing’s Songzhuang Art District as an example, this paper conducts an integrated evolutionary and multi-scalar governance analytical framework through participant’s observations, in-depth qualitative interviews, and extensive evaluations of policy documents. It aims to explore the transformation modes of art districts under the intervention of multi-scalar spatial governance and the roles of local governments in the course of development. The research places the spatial development into a wider theoretical context of local developmental state, local state corporatism, and entrepreneurial state, as well as to combine the socio-political objectives together with economic goals of the local government. The study argues that Songzhuang has witnessed a unique form of artistic urbanism, a process of rapid urbanization of villages in the art-led development. Local governments have competed for taking control of spatial governance through actions characterized by decentralization, alliance, and entrepreneurship, following the logic of performing an overall control over the socio-political, economic, and cultural aspects of art districts, and profiting from land market.

Keywords: artistic urbanism; spatial governance; art district; local government; Songzhuang

♦Research on Construction of an Accessible Environment in the Context of Building a Country with a Strong Transportation Network

Author: Chen Zhao

Translated by Li Caige / Proofread by Tang Yan

Abstract: Transportation is a basic service industry concerned with people’s livelihood and well-being. China has unveiled guidelines on improving China’s strength in transportation. By 2035, an accessible travel service system should basically be built, according to the guidelines jointly released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council. It is of great practical significance to accelerate the construction of an accessible transportation environment in the new era, which can improve the equalization of public services and promote the safe, convenient, and comfortable travel of the disabled and the elderly. In line with the development status of transportation in China, and through an analysis on the requirements for building a country with a strong transportation network, this paper proposes the framework and content for the establishment of an accessible transportation system in China.

Keywords: accessibility; system; elderly-friendly; policy suggestion

♦Evolution of China’s Accessibility Standard System and International Experience

Author: Xu Bingjun, Shao Lei

Translated by Li Min / Proofread by Liu Jiayan

Abstract: This paper summarizes the evolution of China’s accessibility standard system and its driving forces since the reform and opening-up was introduced in 1978, divides it into several stages based on social and economic development, and further analyzes its development trend in the context of standardization reforms. Then, it critically reviews the characteristics of China’s current accessibility standard system and problems encountered during the implementation process. Finally, it proposes suggestions for the development of China’s accessibility standard system in the new era by drawing on domestic and international experience.

Keywords: the accessible environment construction; standard system; legislation on accessibility; universal accessibility; participation of persons with disabilities

♦Key Issues and Compiling Approach of Accessibility Design Standards: A Case Study of Shenzhen

Author: Liu Fang, Zhu Yanmei, Li Shuyang, Ni Zhenyu

Edited by Liu Jinxin / Proofread by Liang Sisi

Abstract: Both practice and research of accessible design in China are still in the initial stage, while the regulations and standardization of accessibility is taking shape. Under the framework of engineering standards based on instrumental rationality, to present the core value of humanism and to define the limitations of universal design in the standards are the key issues worth discussing continuously. By comparing the standards of China and abroad, this paper attempts to clarify the approaches for compiling the Accessibility Design Standards for Shenzhen. At the same time, it provides materials for discussion by showing the difficulties and assumptions during the compilation.

Keywords: accessibility design; design standards; humanism; instrument rationality

♦Strategies for Improving Public Transportation Accessibility in Beijing’s Urban Regeneration from an Inclusive Perspective: Inspirations from Paris’s Experience

Author: Hou Yuting

Translated by Li Min / Proofread by Tang Yan

Abstract: As China’s urbanization has transformed from extensive development to “refined operation,” urban regeneration is more significant. This paper analyzes changes in research perspectives of urban regeneration in recent years at home and abroad and the innovative concept of inclusive development proposed in the context of globalization, finding that the connotation of urban regeneration in European countries has been gradually enriched in order to promote social integration. Based on this, the paper examines how Paris, the first European city, combined inclusive development and urban regeneration and addressed social integration and equity in urban regeneration by taking accessibility as a key point in solving the most fundamental transportation problems. Based on lessons learned from Paris in developing a barrier-free transportation system, it proposes specific optimization strategies at the micro level in accordance with the status quo of public transportation accessibility in Beijing’s urban regeneration.

Keywords: urban regeneration; inclusive development; social integration; accessibility; Paris’s experience; Beijing; transportation improvement strategies

♦Research on the Measurement of Urban Sprawl with a Multi-Factor Indicator in the Context of Rapid Urbanization in China

Author: Wang Jiating, Xie Yu, Ma Hongfu, Cai Siyuan

Translated by Liu Jinxin / Proofread by Liu Jiayan

Abstract: This paper attempts to create a multi-factor urban sprawl indicator containing population, economy, land use, and infrastructure by using statistical data, and empirically measures the urban sprawl level of 69 cities in China between 2000 to 2014. It then analyzes the results from regional and periodic perspectives, and divides urban sprawl into four types as well as discusses their characteristics. The main conclusions are: ①the multi-factor indicator is applicable to measure China’s current urban sprawl level; ② urban sprawl of large and medium-sized cities is becoming serious, while this trend has been eased in recent years; ③ the urban sprawl level and trend of large and medium-sized cities obviously differ from each other in regional perspective; ④ different types of urban sprawl present different sprawl structural characteristics.

Keywords: rapid urbanization; urban sprawl; indicator system; measurement

♦Examining the Impacts of Land Supply on Housing Price in Chinese Mega Cities: An Analysis of Prefecture-Level Cities in China from 2009 to 2016

Author: Wu Yaxin, Tian Li, Ling Yingkai

Edited by Liu Jinxin / Proofread by Mao Qizhi

Abstract: Residential land supply is considered a powerful tool for intervening in the housing market in China. There has been continuous debate on the correlation between residential land supply and housing prices. Based on 35 Chinese prefecture-level cities’ panel data from 2009 to 2016, this study investigates the spatio-temporal characteristics of residential land supply and housing prices, and explores their relationship applying Generalized Moment Models (GMM). The results show that ① there is an overall downward trend in residential land supply and a significant rise in housing prices in most Chinese mega cities from 2009 to 2016, and the extent varies in four economic-geographical regions; ② the decrease in the quantity of residential land supply contributes to the rise in housing prices to some degree, but there is no significant correlation between the land supply structure and housing prices. With the integration of socio-economic factors, the quantitative results validate the previous theoretical models of the casual correlation between residential land supply and housing prices. It further depicts the constraint of insufficient residential land supply in Chinese mega cities and claims it to be a contributor of rising housing prices. The paper concludes with implications for housing strategies and future studies.

Keywords: residential land supply; housing prices; China