China City Planning Review (No.4, 2014)

♦Planning of Industrial Land for Green Belts in Chaoyang District of Beijing: Its Effects, Dilemmas, and Solutions

Author: Nawei WU

Abstract: Beijing’s green belt policy is three-fold: firstly to protect farmers’ interests during urbanization, secondly to control the urban expansion, and thirdly to improve the ecological environment. The planning of industrial land for green belts has thus emerged as a way to help achieve these goals during Beijing’s urban growth from morphological, social, and economic perspectives. First of all, this paper introduces the implementation mechanisms of the planning of industrial land for green belts, from which it abstracts a model of land adjustment and urban-rural cooperation. Secondly, the paper analyzes the effects and current dilemmas during the implementation of the planning of industrial land for green belts. Thirdly, results are compared with other spontaneously developed industries in the rural-urban fringe area to illustrate the changes brought about by the planning. Finally, the paper proposes three measures for future improvement, including balancing the industrial land use quotas between different townships, conducting cooperative land adjustment, and encouraging spontaneously developed industrial projects.

Keywords: green belts; industrial land; rural-urban fringe; Chaoyang District of Beijing

♦A Research on the Intra-Regional Accessibility and Economic Development in the Cardiff City Region

Author: Guoyan ZHOU, Menglin TAN, Xinyan ZHANG

Abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between intra-regional accessibility and economic development within the Cardiff City Region. Embracing the Capital City of Cardiff and its hinterland, this region is regarded as the economically most important one in Wales, and the key driver of Wale’s current and future economic prosperity. Therefore, it is a significant problem how to fully realize its economic potential and its national role, and it is also controversial whether poor intra-regional accessibility is the biggest barrier to its further growth. This has been debated for years and provoked great research interest. By using a qualitative methodology, the paper identifies that intra-regional accessibility is necessary, though not sufficient, for economic growth. It is necessary since it can increase the productivity of economic activities and influence the firms’ location behavior, based on which this paper proposes some recommendations for economic development.

Keywords: intra-regional accessibility; economic development; Cardiff City Region

♦Compilation of Village Planning Schemes in the Context of Rapid Structural Change: A Case Study on the Practice of Zhejiang Province

Author: Wangming LI, Yong JIANG

Abstract: In Zhejiang Province, in a context of villages undergoing rapid structural change in terms of population, employment, and residents’ demands, the village planning is featured by being based on more detailed regulations and presented through more diversified planning schemes. It aims at optimizing the urban-rural spatial structure by reshaping the layout of rural settlements, improving the rural industries by enhancing the studies on industrial development, catering to the villagers’ needs by exploring effective approaches to the equalization of public services, and promoting the efficiency of village planning implementation by developing effective measures. Taking the practice of Zhejiang Province as an example, this paper tries to summarize the features of the village planning scheme compilation in the context of rapid structural change and to explore the possible approaches to a coordinated urban and rural development.

Keywords: village structure; village planning; types of village planning schemes; contents of village planning schemes

♦Exploration and Reflection on the Village and Town Planning of Chengdu in the Context of Urban-Rural Coordination

Author: Rong JIANG, Jian QIU

Abstract: This article starts from analyzing existing problems in China’s village and town planning, and moves on to look at Chengdu’s village and town planning from such aspects as institution management, compilation methods, and implementation mechanism in the context of urban-rural coordination in recent years. In doing so, the article aims to uncover the characteristics and modes of Chengdu’s practices and their implications for future village and town planning.

Keywords: rural-urban coordination; Chengdu; village and town planning

♦From Tree Structure to Interactive Network: A Preliminary Study on Transit-Oriented Spatial Development Patterns of Village-Town Communities

Author: Jinyan WANG, Shuhua HE

Abstract: Based on the relatively developed highway and road network in China’s eastern coastal provinces, the public transit-oriented development model (TOD) for village-town communities aims to create a network connecting the urban and rural public transportation system and the public service system, by selectively constructing “urban-type” communities with bus stops, thus promoting the mobility of urban and rural factors and to optimize the public service system, so as to change the traditional top-down development mode with tree structure. Through the planning practice in Linyi County, Dezhou City, it is found that a TOD-based spatial development mode in village-town communities can provide references for new countryside planning and construction in China in terms of upgrading the urban-rural functional structure, satisfying local demands, optimizing local government decisions, improving the planning mode, etc.

Keywords: public transport-oriented; TOD-based village-town communities; spatial development; village-town system

♦Exploration on Planning Methods for Rural Communities in the Local Economic and Institutional Contexts

Author: Ying WANG, Xin PAN, Zhilun XIAO, Xiangwei CHENG

Abstract: This paper reviews the wave of rural community construction, compares the urban and rural areas on the aspects of land property right, financing channels, construction management procedures, and the user-builder difference, and examines the unique characteristics of rural communities. On the basis of that, it proposes some planning methods for the rural community planning and construction, such as encouraging public participation, conducting public facility-oriented planning, and providing house-design menu, and further puts forward some supporting measures and policies.

Keywords: rural community; land property right; public participation; menu-like planning method

♦Mechanism of Population Migration and Tendency of Urbanization in Labor Export Regions Based on the Push-and-Pull Model: A Case Study of Huaiyuan County in Northern Anhui Province

Author: Rui ZHONG

Abstract: Surplus rural workers seek employment through inter-provincial migration, which was once a path to urbanization in labor export regions, and contributed a lot to the economic and social development of both the labor export regions and labor import regions. But in recent years the labor shortage in eastern regions indicates new changes of the Chinese population structure and migration. Based on the macro statistical analysis and field survey, this paper analyzes Huaiyuan County in northern Anhui Province by using the push-and-pull model as the analytical framework. Then it explores the mechanism of population migration and the tendency of urbanization from the aspects of the pull from labor import regions and the push from labor export regions. The study shows that both the pull from labor import regions and the push from labor export regions are decreasing, and reverse population migration may occur. Therefore, to accommodate such changes, labor export regions should transfer from “Laborers Migrating for Employment” to “Industry Transfer for Laborers” to promote healthy urbanization. Finally, it proposes further discussions in combination with the National New Urbanization Plan (2014 – 2020).

Keywords: urbanization; labor export regions; population migration; the push-and-pull model

♦Preservation and Regeneration Strategies for the Wudadao (Five Avenues) Area, Tianjin, China

Author: Tianjie ZHANG, Sunsheng HAN

Abstract: Nowadays, Tianjin becomes a major economic development zone, emulating operations seen in Shenzhen and Shanghai. But the corresponding large-scale urban development is bringing great challenges to the existing modern architectural heritage, which is an indispensable part of Tianjin’s history, character, and culture. The Wudadao Area in the previous British Concession is such a case. Through examining its development process, this research identifies four modes of preservation strategies, and analyses the respective characteristics. Multiple stakeholders who take part in Wudadao’s preservation and regeneration are recognized. Via case studies, the research elucidates the different roles played by responsible departments in Tianjin Municipal Government, state-owned enterprises, and local residents respectively. In a micro-circulation way, Wudadao has developed from an endangered colonial settlement to a re-recognized symbol of Tianjin’s urban culture and a refurbished showcase of global identity.

Keywords: historical preservation; historic district; Wudadao Area; Tianjin; China