nor

  Urbanization is among one of the most powerful forces shaping modern China.  Since the late 20th century, China has seen the largest and fastest urban migration in recorded history.  As of 2024, over 65% of China’s population lives in cities a stark contrast to the 20% urban population in 1980.  This rapid urbanization has been driven by economic reforms, industrialization, and government policies aimed at modernizing the economy and improving living standards.  However, this massive shift has had profound consequences not only for cities but also for the rural communities left behind.  Whilst urbanization had opened new opportunities to prospects and affluence, it also brought massive social, economic, as well as environmental issues in rural China. The Urbanization Boom: Background and Drivers China's urbanisation is equally intertwined with its period of economic reform, which began in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping.  The transformation of the economy f...

  China's transformation from a mostly agricultural society into an urbanized powerhouse economy constitutes one of the most striking developments of the modern world.  Throughout the last couple of decades, the country has witnessed an unexampled pace of urbanization, which gave way to the development of innumerable mega-cities acting as poles for economic growth, culture, and technology.  This paper tries to delve into the history, drivers, challenges, and implications of urbanization in China with an emphasis on mega-cities. #1 Historical Context of Urbanization in China: A- Pre-Reform Era (Before 1978): For centuries, China's population was largely rural, with agriculture as the primary economic activity. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, urbanization was kept in check.  Policies emphasized collectivization in the countryside and industrial self-sufficiency.  Cities were tightly controlled, and rural-to-urban migration was restricted through the hukou, or ...