The size distribution and growth pattern of cities in China, 1982–2010: analysis and policy implications

Abstract

ABSTRACTChina's urbanization in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries is a crucial process in transforming the country. Taking advantage of the de facto counts of city population in the last four censuses since 1982, this paper examines the city-size distribution and growth pattern of large cities in China in recent three decades. Combined with earlier data and work on the Mao era, the paper also presents some long-term trends and helps answer an important question: was China successful in controlling the growth of large cities? In addition, the paper analyzes the main features of China's urbanization policy in relation to the political economy and development strategy, and concludes with a discussion of the relevance of this study to the latest urbanization policy and the household registration system or hukou reforms in large cities.