The Great Urban Transformation

The Great Urban Transformation examines China's urbanization and land politics through the lens of state power and territorial control. The book focuses on municipal governments and their strategies for land development during China's market reforms. You-tien Hsing analyzes three key regions: the inner city, suburban areas, and rural regions on the urban edge. Through extensive fieldwork and research spanning multiple Chinese cities, she documents how local state power operates through land management and development projects. The study covers the period from the 1990s to the 2000s, tracking how different government entities compete for authority over land resources. Hsing presents case studies of property rights disputes, land requisition practices, and the changing relationships between state actors and citizens. The book offers insights into how urbanization processes reshape state power and social relations in contemporary China. Through its examination of territorial politics, the work reveals broader patterns about governance and spatial transformation in rapidly developing societies.

Readers cite the book's detailed analysis of China's land politics and local government power dynamics. The case studies from different Chinese cities help illustrate complex urban development concepts. Liked: - Clear explanation of how local governments gain control over land - Rich empirical evidence and fieldwork - Balanced academic and accessible writing style - Strong theoretical framework linking territory and power Disliked: - Dense academic language in some sections - Focus on specific regions limits broader applicability - Some readers wanted more discussion of rural land issues - Limited coverage of informal housing markets Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 ratings) Google Books: No ratings One academic reviewer noted it "fills an important gap in understanding China's urban transformation through the lens of territorial politics." A student reviewer mentioned the "helpful conceptual tools for analyzing state power at local levels" but found some theoretical sections "difficult to get through."

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🏙️ The book examines China's urbanization between 1990-2010, when the urban population doubled from 300 million to 600 million people - one of the largest and fastest urban transformations in human history. 🏗️ You-tien Hsing conducted over 300 interviews across multiple Chinese cities over a decade to gather data for this comprehensive study of urban power dynamics. 📊 The author introduces the concept of "urban-rural land battles" where local governments competed to convert agricultural land into urban developments, often leading to social conflicts. 🎓 You-tien Hsing is a professor at UC Berkeley and received the Association of American Geographers' Globe Book Award for this work in 2011. 🔄 The book reveals how China's urban transformation reversed the traditional power structure, with cities now dominating rural areas - contrary to Mao's earlier vision of rural-based development.