URBAN VILLAGES IN TRANSITION : THREE CASE STUDIES IN PEARL RIVER DELTA, CHINA

Abstract

The term “village” seems to be always associated with picturesque landscape, agricultural activities and relaxing life-style. Traditionally, village is a place outside the urban area which is a destination to escape from the hectic daily life and working stress. However, there is new type of village called urban village1 has evolved over the last three decades in modern China. This new type of village has overthrown our traditional perceptions of what a village is. The formation of urban village is a result of the institutional changes as well as economic reform which has taken place in the past thirty years in China. The study of this process is an important vehicle to understand the current situations and the planning of future development of urban villages. Three case studies are selected to present and compare the similarities and differences in physical and social contexts, renewal mechanisms and impacts of renewal project of urban village. There is no standard model for development. Each development is shaped by both external and internal forces unique to each village. The new development has indicated a shift in development from solely economically driven development to an economically, socially and culturally sustainable development.