Fragmented Peri-urbanisation Led by Autonomous Village Development under Informal Institution in High-density Regions: The Case of Nanhai, China

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation in China has been a significant phenomenon with profound social, economic and environmental impacts. The most profound and intriguing changes occur in the interface between the central city and the suburbs-namely, peri-urban areas. Being one of the dynamic urbanising regions, the Pearl River Delta has seen great transitions in its demography and built environment in the context of institutional change. Rapid urbanisation in peri-urban Nanhai has been chiefly driven by the numerous autonomous small-area rural collectives, which has created a fragmented urbanising landscape. The fragmentation and excessive conversion of farmland for industrial uses are brought about by the new institutions of village-based land shareholding co-operatives and their informal leasing of collective land. As a result, extremely scarce land resources are not utilised optimally and the ecological environment is deteriorating. Urbanisation in high-density peri-urban Nanhai is made unsustainable for the long-term future. © 2013 Urban Studies Journal Limited.