China City Planning Review (No.1, 2013)

♦Power, Society, and Living Space: Evolution and Formation Mechanism of Urban Streets in China

Author: Jiayan LIU, Xiangyu DENG

Abstract: Being one of the most important elements of urban public space, streets have contained rich social lives as well as the social and political connotations in Chinese cities with specific local characteristics, while most of them have been long neglected in the researches focusing on grand narratives and center-based perspectives. The paper retrospectively analyzes the evolution process of urban streets in China, dividing it into four critical periods. With the perspective of socio-spatial analysis, the unique formation mechanisms of Chinese urban streets are summarized in different contexts including power system, social domain, and living space, thus to provide references for the exploration of street development mode and revitalization mechanism facing the multiple challenges of globalization, modernity, as well as local social and cultural 

traditions.

Keywords street; power; living space; China

♦Spatial Logic and Risks in China’s Rapid Urbanization under Global Complexity 

Author: Dongfeng YANG 

Abstract: China’s rapid urbanization in the past 30 years can be abstracted as a spatial-temporal product of the socio-economic mechanism relying on productive factors, which represents the sustained dynamics from labor demographic bonus to land capital discount. In the context of the current increasing global complexity, this paper points out that this kind of productive factor-based spatial logic not only has structural deficiencies, but also potentially brings about the environmental, economic, social, and political risks in multiple dimensions as follows: first, the crises in regional resources and environment due to the market distortion of productive factors; second, the disappearance of industrial growth impetus due to the investment preference to land urbanization; third, the social polarization caused by the incomplete urbanization of immigrates; fourth, the overdraft of government credit as a result of the unbalanced urbanization of population, industry, and land. Under such a circumstance, the paper proposes a transition of China’s existing urbanization policies, so as to achieve the objective of sustainable urbanization in the future.

Keywords: global complexity; urbanization; spatial logic; potential risk; sustainable development

♦A Discourse on Human Settlements in Line with Scientific View of Development 

Author: Liangyong WU

Abstract: The primary theoretical framework of the Sciences of Human Settlements was established based on the researches and practices for decades. Nowadays, it is facing a new start in order to face the challenges of “transformation” and “restructuring” amid the process of urbanization. It means that, in both the theoretical and practical fields of the Sciences of Human Settlements, due attention should be paid to the discussions on urbanization strategies, the rethinking on balanced urban-rural development, the extension and integration of various disciplines, and the realization of experimental projects in various localities. The Sciences of Human Settlements should be more closely connected with related sciences and technologies and learn more from the traditional “Chinese wisdom,” so as to establish the system of “Grand Science, Grand Humanism and Grand Arts.” The practice of the Sciences of Human Settlements should highlight the integration of both strategies and methodologies, the completion of institutions, and the monitoring at the macro-level. Both the top-down strategic planning and design and the bottom-up comprehensive community construction are necessary. Now that the times of great transition brings us an opportunity to solve problems creatively, the Sciences of Human Settlements should be further researched and explored.

Keywords: Sciences of Human Settlement; Scientific View of Development; transition of development mode

♦The Divided City*

Author: Vassilis Sgoutas

Abstract: The divided city, spatially and socially, is the city of today throughout the world. Poverty and barriers of all kinds increasingly define cities. Physical barriers, such as walls, fences, and highways, are the obvious tell-tale signs of a divided city. The social segregation of space is equally dangerous. Focused government policies and funds are a sine qua non for meaningful projects aimed at the physical and social transformation of cities. The contribution of architects, planners, and research institutes is also indispensable. Above all, it is people that matter. Liveable cities mean cities where all their constituent elements, not least the human, are interconnected. 

Keywords: social segregation; poverty; urban equilibrium; desegregation of space; social transformation

♦Constructing Human Settlements to Achieve Scientific Development: Yunfu’s Experiment 

Author: Menghui WANG, Xun LI, An PAN 

Abstract: In the background of development mode transformation, the city of Yunfu has carried out the experiment of the Sciences of Human Settlements, which takes Scientific View of Development as the guiding ideology and the Sciences of Human Settlements as the theoretical basis. “Joint development of beautiful environment and harmonious society” is the epistemology and methodology of the experiment and its framework includes the vision of human settlements, major function enlargement of county region, construction guideline for integrated community, and action outline of joint development of beautiful environment and harmonious society. Through a series of actions, Yunfu has made remarkable achievements which include the improvement of human settlement quality in urban-rural areas, the promotion of socio-economic development, and the harmonious relationship between the Party and the people. 

Keywords: human settlements; scientific development; major function enlargement; integrated community; Yunfu

♦Constructing Human Settlements to Achieve Scientific Development: Yunfu’s Experiment 

Author: Menghui WANG, Xun LI, An PAN 

Abstract: In the background of development mode transformation, the city of Yunfu has carried out the experiment of the Sciences of Human Settlements, which takes Scientific View of Development as the guiding ideology and the Sciences of Human Settlements as the theoretical basis. “Joint development of beautiful environment and harmonious society” is the epistemology and methodology of the experiment and its framework includes the vision of human settlements, major function enlargement of county region, construction guideline for integrated community, and action outline of joint development of beautiful environment and harmonious society. Through a series of actions, Yunfu has made remarkable achievements which include the improvement of human settlement quality in urban-rural areas, the promotion of socio-economic development, and the harmonious relationship between the Party and the people. 

Keywords: human settlements; scientific development; major function enlargement; integrated community; Yunfu

♦New Central Axis for Guangzhou City 

Author: Shusen LIN 

Abstract: This paper summarizes the entire construction process of Guangzhou’s new central axis, including planning, design, and decisionmaking. The relationships among master plan, action plan and urban design are discussed in a practical case. And design principles which should be followed and factors relevant to desirable effect in the urban design for key areas are also explored. 

Keywords: new urban axis; action plan; urban design; order in chaos; factors relevant to theoretical effect