Rural Renewal of China in the Context of Rural-Urban Integration: Governance Fit and Performance Differences

Abstract

Abstract:In recent years, rural-urban integrated development has become a vital national strategy in China. In this context, many regions have implemented rural renewal projects to enhance the vitality and development of rural areas. The objective of this study is to reveal the reasons why different rural renewal modes have emerged in contemporary China and assess their ability to facilitate rural-urban integration. An analytical framework, the Institution of Sustainability (IoS) and a comparative analysis of two cases are used for the rural renewal evaluation. Our findings indicate that the properties of transactions and the characteristics of the actors involved jointly determine the governance structures of rural renewal. Furthermore, different governance structures contribute to performance differences, particularly differences in the physical outcomes, distribution effects and process efficiency. Finally, we suggest relevant policy recommendations.

Strategic Assessment and Economic Evaluation: The Case Study of Yanzhou Island (China)

“…It is precisely the reflection on the new tourist models and the recovery of rural villages that has led the Zhaoqing New Area Administration to investigate innovative approaches for the development of the Yangzhou Island. This planning approach is in line with some recent experiences of developing rural villages located on the edge of urban areas-Yuanqian in Xiamen, Zhouzhuang in Hangzhou and Xiabei in Donguang-which promote a new type of urbanization that is attentive to existing conditions and can generate social and economic benefits, trying to respect the culture and local identities [10][11][12].…”

Untangle the Complex Stakeholder Relationships in Rural Settlement Consolidation in China: A Social Network Approach

“…The centralized residents who are willing to be relocated are mainly influenced by family structures, the dilapidated conditions of their residential land and home, their dependence on agriculture, and their social network [24]. Their top concern is to improve their living conditions with a focus on their lifestyles and residential environments [26,54]. The residents in an RSC village are expected to benefit from improved accessibility to public services facilities [20].…”

Understanding Land Use and Rural Development in the National Scheme of Village Relocation and Urbanization in China: A Case Study of Two Villages in Jiangsu Province

“…This transition provides an opportunity for the innovative practice of villager autonomy-the top-down power subsidence forces the clan members to explore new models of autonomy, such as Joint Conference of Clan Gentries-Elites-Township Officials and Land Consulting Office. Clan members, who has linked their specific daily actions to the abstract power of the state through discussions on land policies, should be encouraged to conduct rural renewal in a self-organized way that is suitable for local conditions [28]. Meanwhile, gentries, although hardly granted with the power delegated from the above, might act as shock absorbers of the political system as well as protective layers for the clan members.…”