Migration and Inter-Dependence, Sustainable Urbanism in the Pearl River Delta Region, South China

Alam Alam,Momtaj Bintay ,Khalil

doi:10.22610/jsds.v3i3.691

Abstract

Under influence of globalization regional boundaries seem to be melted with the hands of migrants and pave the integration process. Ideally integration occur through voluntary linking in the economic and political domains of two or more formerly independent states to the extent that authority over key areas of national policy is shifted towards the supra-national level. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of South China is unique as its status transformed from an international boundary between the UK and the Peopleâ€™s Republic of China (PRC) to an internal boundary inside China under â€˜one country-two systemsâ€™ in 1997. Cross-border migration between Hong Kong and the PRD can be seen as the discourse of dependant development. Contrary to the contribution of migrants through spontaneously locating and relocating themselves across border with their social and entrepreneurial interplay in history, governments responded selectively to cross-border issues While most research emphasize economic and political aspects, analysis into the migration history reveals that integration in the PRD region is a unique form of â€˜inter-dependent urbanismâ€™ through the hands of temporary and permanent migrants who once happened to be separated by force, are merging in the same nation-state recently. This subtly perceived trend of urbanization has scope to achieve sustainability of the region.

Highlights

Globalization has often proved itself a boundary melting process over regions (Yang, 2006)
The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region is unique as its status transformed from an international boundary between the UK and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to an internal boundary inside China under ‘one country-two systems’ in 1997 (Cheung, 2006).Cross-border phenomena between Hong Kong and the PRD can be seen as the discourse of dependant development (Frank, 1978) primarily economic
While most research emphasize economic and political aspects, this paper reveals that integration in the PRD region is a unique form of ‘inter-dependent urbanism’ through the hands of temporary and permanent migrants who once happened to be separated by force, have been merging in the same nation-state in recent decade

Summary

Introduction

Globalization has often proved itself a boundary melting process over regions (Yang, 2006). The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region (shown in Figure 1) is unique as its status transformed from an international boundary between the UK and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to an internal boundary inside China under ‘one country-two systems’ in 1997 (Cheung, 2006).Cross-border phenomena between Hong Kong and the PRD can be seen as the discourse of dependant development (Frank, 1978) primarily economic. This paper conducts literature review on the migration history of the Pearl River Delta region of South China and tries to understand the nature of integration and its effect on the urbanization processes. The outcome of the study will significantly contribute to future cross border policy making, urban governance and land use planning of the region where the city-state of Hong Kong will merge into mainland China after the 50 years ‘One Country-two Systems’ agreement ends

Theoretical understandings

History of Migration and ‘Inter-Dependence’: Before 1979

Findings

Conclusion & Future Direction