China's rapid industrialization and urbanization represent significant forces reshaping the global economy in the 21st century. The Chinese state has actively pursued a development strategy characterized by a distinctive model of rapid industrialization and a unique model of urbanization. This course examines the rationale and historical trajectory of China's post-1949 industrialization strategy, tracing its ascent as the "world's factory" while addressing the challenges encountered in recent years. China's industrialization is grounded in a mega rural-urban "dual system" established in the 1950s, resulting in a distinctive path of urbanization marked by specific social and economic characteristics. The course analyzes into the associated institutions and their role in shaping China's development strategies, contributing to the transformation of Chinese urban society and cityscapes. Emphasis is placed on understanding the complexities of China's urbanization, examining both the social and physical landscapes, and recent urbanization plans and policies. Throughout the course, relevant comparisons are drawn to situate China's practices within a broader international context. The primary objective is to facilitate students' understanding of how this distinctive Chinese model fundamentally redefines cities and the lives of people within this vast nation.
This is an upper-division course focusing on China. Ideally students should have some background on contemporary China (such as having taken a course in China’s geography, history, politics, society or economy) before. Students who have limited China background are required to study supplementary materials in the first two weeks.