Urbanization, industrialization, and sustainable development in China: Converging paths?

Abstract

Many policymakers and citizens alike point to cities as major culprits in China's ecological decline. Roads are clogged with vehicles, the air is often foul and unhealthy to breathe and waste piles up in mountainous landfills, robbing farmers of productive land. However, cities can also be powerful engines for sustainable development. This chapter will attempt to answer the following questions: First, what factors are driving China's urbanization and industrial strategy? Second, what does the concept of sustainable development mean in the Chinese context? Third, what measures are being taken at the national level to encourage sustainable development? Fourth, what challenges does the national government face in promoting sustainable development and environmental policy enforcement at the local level? Finally, what are the prospects for further deepening sustainable development as an integral part of China's overall revitalization strategy?