China City Planning Review (No.3, 2013)

♦Healthy Urbanization: From Quantitative Growth to Qualitative Promotion – Adjustment on Emphasis of Urbanization Strategy
Author: Zhi YIN, Qizhi MAO, Jiafu LIU, Liang LI, Bing ZOU, Xinzhe WANG, Xiaogang SHAN
Abstract: China is currently experiencing the dramatic process of rapid urbanization, and the issue of how to realize a healthy urbanization is such a hot topic that it attracts attention at various levels from the Central Government to the local governments, as well as in many fields from academic community to political circles. Around this issue, this article provides several related point of views from seven experts and scholars, in order to inspire the thoughts on the future of China’s urbanization.
Keywords: healthy urbanization; strategy; quantitative growth; qualitative promotion

♦Development of Cultural and Creative Industries in China and Its Impacts on Urban Renovation
Author: Jian LIU
Abstract: Emerging along with the economic restructuring and the increase of cultural demands after the reforms and opening-up in the late 1970s, the cultural and creative industries have gone through rapid development in China driven by the reform on cultural system. Since the 21st century, the development of cultural and creative industries has further become one of China’s national policies of industrial development, occupying a significant position in the national economy. Starting by clarifying various definitions on the conception of cultural and creative industry, this paper outlines the process of cultural and creative industry development in China since the reforms and opening-up, summarizes its development trends in the past decade and its contributions to the socio-economic development, and analyzes its potential influences on the urban renovation of certain kinds of areas, in particular the historic neighborhoods in regeneration, the industrial areas in redevelopment, and the peripheral urban villages in transformation.
Keywords: cultural and creative industry; urban renovation; China

♦Beijing: Government-Led Development of Cultural and Creative Industrial Clusters
Author: Yan TANG, He HUANG
Abstract: The development of creative cities in China currently shows strong government-led characteristics. Therefore, taking Beijing as an example, this paper discusses the government-led development model of cultural and creative industrial clusters. By analyzing the cultural and creative resources in Beijing, it explores the approaches initiated by the Municipal Government to promote cultural and creative industrial clusters. Based on the exploration of the industrial structure and spatial distribution of such clusters, this paper points out their role in urban renewal, industrial heritage utilization, New Countryside Construction, industrial park development, etc., and further proposes measures for their future improvement.
Keywords: government-led; cultural and creative industries; industrial clusters; Beijing

♦Hong Kong: Creative City Between East and West
Author: Alan Ka-lun Lung, Klaus R. Kunzmann
Abstract: The slogan “One Country, Two Systems” guides the political, economic and cultural development of Hong Kong – one of the world’s most important financial centers. However, the city is more than just a financial center and a tradehub. The city also has a strong civil society, and the members of the civil society have much interest in culture and cultural identity. The city aims to strengthen its position as a prominent center of higher education in Asia. Therefore, cultural facilities, infrastructure, festivals (such as the Hong Kong Film Festival) and culturerelated fairs, as well as cultural and creative industries, are high on the political agenda, dedicated to promoting Hong Kong to be a cultural center in Asia. In recent years, a number of studies have been commissioned to explore the potential of cultural and creative industries under the urban economy. The findings suggest that cultural and creative industries are one of the economic development fields that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government should support and promote in the future. A design center and agency, called Cyberport, has been established to create institutions that can support the evolution of cultural and creative industries. In addition, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regional Government of China decided in 2008 to develop a prime location in the middle of the city into a cultural district. The West Kowloon Cultural District will position the city on the cultural map of Asia.
Keywords: One Country, Two Systems; culture and civil society; cultural and creative industries; Cyberport; Kowloon Cultural District; Hong Kong

♦Taipei: A Creative City Based on Innovation and Traditional Culture 

Author: Kuang-chieh CHEN, Chien-yuan LIN
Abstract: Taipei is a city full of oriental traditional culture. Different from other Chinese cities, Taipei has a very specific urban fabric and development context that provides excellent conditions for the development of cultural and creative industries (CCIs). Since 2011, Taipei City Government has set up 11 creative quarters that have demonstrated the unique features and lifestyles of Creative Taipei. In this paper, the authors introduce Creative Taipei in 4 parts: examining the CCIs conditions of Taipei, identifying strengths of Taipei’s CCIs, understanding governance strategies and policies, and analyzing creative city governance through case studies. Looking into the future of Creative Taipei, this paper concludes that the clear leading policies, the attractive investment environment for private investors, and the cross-boundary integration are three dimensions to further strengthen the power of CCIs in Taipei.
Keywords: cultural and creative industries; Taipei City; Creative Taipei

♦An Institutional Analysis on China’s “Urban Disease”
Author: Jiabin LIN
Abstract: This paper aims to clarify the institutional causes of China’s “urban disease” and propose solutions to counter it. The institutional causes summarized in the paper include the fiscal and taxation system, land system, planning system, the central-local relations, and so forth. By influencing the behavior of municipal governments, these factors not only produce excessive incentives for cities to pursue urban development, but also result in “urban disease” in Chinese cities. Based on such an analysis, this paper puts forward some thoughts and suggestions on gradual reforms in the future to help mitigate China’s “urban disease.” Keywords: “urban disease”; institutional cause; interaction mechanism; solutions

♦Change and Continuity: Chinese Villages in Transition (I) – Longmei Village
Author: Nick R. Smith
Abstract: This is the first in a series of four articles ethnographically exploring instances of village transformation in peri-urban China. Each article presents an in-depth case study of a single village and its unique combination of change and continuity. Together, these case studies demonstrate the specificity and idiosyncrasy of village transformation and the need for planners to “take actions that suit local conditions” (yindi zhiyi). This first installment investigates Longmei Village in the Panyu District of Guangzhou Municipality. Longmei’s leaders have encouraged economic transformation through industrialization and real estate development while seeking to maintain the village’s socio-spatial continuity. These competing priorities have led to contradictions in Longmei’s development, as integration into economic networks brings new people, goods, and ideas to the village. This tension has intensified as both registered villagers and migrant workers have pursued divergent visions for Longmei’s future transformation.
Keywords: village planning; peri-urbanization; ethnography; Guangzhou