Urban morphology of China in the post-socialist age: Towards a framework for analysis

Abstract

Post-socialist China has entered a period of rapid urbanisation with intensified economic activity and institutional restructuring. The evolutionary process of urban morphology, otherwise known as urban form or urban landscape, appears to be ‘unique’ and different from the historical trends in other countries. As little systematic research has been done on this cross-disciplinary subject, this study will attempt to investigate its changing pattern, focusing on the post-1949 era. Based on a review of literature, a theoretical framework – ‘urbanisation as a process’ with an emphasis on political economy issues is established. Within the framework, the concepts and methods of ‘morphological analysis’ and ‘environmental behavioral studies’ are adopted for analyzing the physical environment. More general discussions and evaluations will be combined with empirical research – field surveys and an examination of practical planning experiences in Hainan, China. As the biggest Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in China, Hainan is undergoing rapid development. Its inherent complexity and dynamic nature have profound significance for both theory and practice.