Coordinated Urban-rural development planning in China

Abstract

Problem, research strategy, and findings: To address one of China's most pressing planning problems, Chengdu was designated a national pilot region for coordinated urban-rural development. Using a wide variety of sources, we describe the theory and practice of coordinated urban-rural development in Chengdu. We fill a scholarly gap by describing Chengdu's practice and its implications for developing countries in relation to development and planning theory, and provide new information about the challenges of absorbing surplus rural workforce into the modern economy, equalizing urban and rural infrastructure and social services, clarifying ownership and use rights, building livable new villages, modernizing agriculture, and competing in the global economy. Takeaway for practice: All planners interested in the frontiers of urban planning practice can benefit from understanding the theoretical basis of Chengdu's model and the initial successes and challenges in adapting the model to other cities. Research support: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant #41371007), Renmin University of China (Project "985"), and the Chengdu Municipal Government. © 2013 Taylor and Francis Group LLC.