Abstract
There have been wide ranging and ongoing debates regarding the relative advantages and disadvantages of high-density development for the context of social sustainability. However, little of this discussion has focused on the high-density small-scale development (HDSS), which has emerged as the typical urban form in many large Chinese cities. This paper examines the processes that shape the HDSS neighbourhood and the subsequent social consequences of this development. Document analysis and interview methods were used in a case study of neighbourhood development in the city of Shenzhen. Revealing the trade-offs behind the development of these neighbourhoods, the result reflects the varied roles and interests of different stakeholders and highlights how inadequate consideration is given to the social dimensions of sustainability in contemporary high-density small-scale urban development in China. This is now becoming a great challenge for both the Chinese city and society.
Highlights
Creating sustainable urban form has been accepted as a key global challenge for both researchers and planners (Arundel & Ronald, 2017; Jabareen, 2006; Liu, Song, & Arp, 2012)
The key questions asked in this paper include: What are the planning processes that lead to high-density small-scale neighbourhood development? What are the advantages and weaknesses of the current development mode? What are the social consequences of the development form? We begin by exploring the way that high-density neighbourhood is planned and developed in China, before turning our attention to an empirical study exploring the experienced social outcomes from this form of development
Urban regeneration policy requires neighbourhood redevelopment to take place at an appropriate scale and that there should be a reduction in the building coverage ratio (BCR) in order to increase the proportion of public space as well as the greening ratio for any redevelopment sites (Uplrc, 2013)
Summary
Creating sustainable urban form has been accepted as a key global challenge for both researchers and planners (Arundel & Ronald, 2017; Jabareen, 2006; Liu, Song, & Arp, 2012). It is often argued that the design of urban form can be an important way to build a sustainable urban environment and have significant impacts on residents quality of life and wellbeing (Dempsey, 2008). The development of sustainable city and neighbourhood cannot be based on technical regulations but should be concerned with the real social consequences of the development This can be best achieved through the ongoing participation of different stakeholders throughout the entire development process. The focus of this paper is to explore the social outcomes that have been contingent upon the planning and development process of high-density small-scale neighbourhood in modern China, which has come to characterise so much of the current urban form. The key questions asked in this paper include: What are the planning processes that lead to high-density small-scale neighbourhood development? What are the advantages and weaknesses of the current development mode? What are the social consequences of the development form? We begin by exploring the way that high-density neighbourhood is planned and developed in China, before turning our attention to an empirical study exploring the experienced social outcomes from this form of development
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