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Polycentric Urbanization and Sustainable Development in China
Author(s) -
Heikkila Eric J.,
Xu Ying
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
global policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1758-5899
pISSN - 1758-5880
DOI - 10.1111/1758-5899.13083
Subject(s) - polycentricity , urbanization , nexus (standard) , china , corporate governance , metropolitan area , context (archaeology) , sustainable development , economic geography , economic growth , regional science , business , political science , geography , economics , finance , computer science , law , embedded system , archaeology
Abstract This paper addresses urbanization in the context of China's efforts to meet its commitments regarding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper focuses specifically on governmental policies to promote polycentricity, with multiple urban centers of a similar scale within metropolitan areas, rather than a traditional single, dominant central business district. Polycentric urban forms have the potential to reduce average commuting times, thereby impacting greenhouse gas emissions. Polycentricity may also enhance access to employment and other opportunities for marginalized households. To this end, we examine the nexus between emerging polycentric urbanization patterns in Chinese cities and modes of governance at the national and local levels. Changsha, in Hunan province, is selected as a case study to illuminate the issues. Our analysis shows that fiscal considerations and other national and local governance imperatives can play a crucial role in determining how urbanization evolves. While China is unique in many ways, there are also important commonalities with other countries in the global South that are experiencing rapid urbanization, so the insights generated here may be more broadly applicable.