Abstract
In broad terms, the sources of economic growth are well understood, but relatively few countries have succeeded in effectively harnessing this knowledge for policy purposes so as to sustain high rates of growth over an extended period of time. Among the ones that have done so, China stands out. Its gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, which averaged almost 10 percent between 1978 and 2008, is unmatched. Even more remarkable is the performance of China's three leading industrial regions: the Bohai region, the Pearl River Delta, and the Yangtze River (Changjiang) delta area. These regions have averaged growth rates well above 11 percent since 1985. Shanghai is the urban axis of the Yangtze River Delta's thriving economy; Beijing is the hinge of the Bohai region. Their performance and that of a handful of other urban regions will determine China's economic fortunes and innovativeness in the coming decades. The balance of this volume is divided into five chapters. Chapter two encapsulates the sources of China's growth and the current and future role of urban regions in China. The case for the continuing substantial presence of manufacturing industry for growth and innovation in the two urban centers is made in chapter three. Chapter four briefly examines the economic transformation of four global cities and distills stylized trends that can inform future development in Beijing and Shanghai. Chapter five describes the industrial structure of the two cities, identifies promising industrial areas, and analyzes the resource base that would underpin growth fueled by innovation. Finally, chapter six suggests how strategy could be reoriented on the basis of the lessons delineated in chapter four and the economic capabilities presented in chapter five.
Highlights
Introduction and OverviewIn broad terms, the sources of economic growth are well understood, but relatively few countries have succeeded in effectively harnessing this knowledge for policy purposes so as to sustain high rates of growth over an extended period of time (Commission on Growth and Development 2008; Yusuf 2009a).1 Among the ones that have done so, China stands out
Urbanization has interacted most fruitfully with other factors in promoting growth. These seven elements highlight the role of industrialization: an early start at building industrial capacity; foreign direct investment (FDI) that initiated the growth of exports; the high level of investment in plant, equipment, and infrastructure; reform of the state enterprise sector; rapid accumulation of human capital on a broad front; the attention given to research and development (R&D); and the geographically concentrated urbanization
107Coastal cities will need to prepare for rising sea levels by minimizing land subsidies associated with the pumping of groundwater, by building dikes and pumping facilities, and by using natural passive defenses such as wetlands and mangrove forests (Day and others 2007; UN-HABITAT 2008)
Summary
5.29 Rankings of Universities in Beijing; Hong Kong, China; Shanghai; 5.32 Expenditure on R&D and Its Composition in Beijing, 2005 and 2006 . . 105 5.33 Technological Transfer from Universities in Shanghai: Science, 5.35 Technological Acquisition and Transfer by Natural Sciences Research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
