The Development of Master-Planned Communities in Chinese Suburbs: A Case Study of Shanghai's Thames Town

Abstract

Suburban master-planned communities are emerging in China. This kind of residential enclave is often regarded as an enchanted setting for luxury housing consumption. The emergence of master-planned communities in China provides an opportunity to understand why and how urban enclaves are developed and promoted in a country where state control over land and housing provision remains pervasive and durable. This study examines the development of Thames Town in Shanghai. Promotional strategies use cultural and entertainment elements to build an "English town" as an exclusive residence for the new rich. Nevertheless, the community is an outgrowth of the local government's entrepreneurial strategies to stimulate development and construct a livable image for the city. In terms of outcomes, Thames Town has attracted substantial investment as well as the attention of property buyers, but has failed to persuade many people to live there.