Beyond Soviet Model: Institutional Change and Planning Evolution in Maoist Era’s China

Abstract

Pre-reform Chinese urban planning is often described as “Soviet Planning Mode”, thus overlook the impact of Mao. The planning history in Chinese context shall perceive it in the vein of its historical development, this article explores planning practice in Maoist Era’s China exclude “Soviet Planning Mode”. In order to trace the Planning Evolution due to institutional Changes, research selects three typical planning events which are Capital Beijing Planning at the initial stage of new China, People’s Commune Planning in the late 1950s, Daqing Planning Pattern in 1960s. The study reveals that urban planning from 1950s-1960s experienced the ideological thought of prudency, learning, idealism and decentralism, its evolving process link to Mao’s political and economic policies closely. Besides, in later life of Mao’s China, urban planning Thoughts shows a Hybridism state with both Soviet mode and local gene.