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Exploration on the Innovation Model of County Urbanization Development with the Resource Constraints in China

Author

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  • Runchen Zhou

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yang Guo

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
    School of Spatial Planning and Design, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou 310015, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yuzhe Wu

    (School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

The 14th Five-Year Plan for China proposes to promote the urbanization process from a county perspective, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to develop county urbanization. However, in the context of relatively limited resources, insufficient funds, and comparatively lower land values in Chinese counties, how to promote county urbanization remains the primary challenge, which has not been studied yet. This study first analyzes the necessity of promoting county urbanization from four dimensions: national development strategy, industrial policy development, local government status, and enterprise development demands using literature research and survey interviews. Based on field research conducted in 32 counties in China, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis is carried out on the county urbanization process in this study. By analyzing the developmental status and challenges of major urban areas, expansion areas of counties, and their surrounding countryside, this paper proposes a “three-level gradient integration” concept for the spatial integration of county urbanization. Furthermore, the mechanism of multi-agent linkage to promote county urbanization was explored based on the theory of urban governance and the characteristics of county urbanization. Subsequently, relying on the analysis of policies, such as land acquisition and integrated land improvement, and adopting modes, such as “Investor + Engineering Procurement Construction + Operation” (investor + EPC + O) and renovate–operate–transfer (ROT), we propose a pathway for promoting county urbanization through the linkage of government, enterprises, and residents. This study provides insight into promoting the county urbanization process. Additionally, each country faces the common issue of how to use limited resources to promote regional development, and this article can provide valuable insights and inspiration for addressing this shared issue by the principle of adapting to local conditions and adhering to the concept of efficient market and proactive government.

Suggested Citation

  • Runchen Zhou & Yang Guo & Yuzhe Wu, 2023. "Exploration on the Innovation Model of County Urbanization Development with the Resource Constraints in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:22:p:16129-:d:1283932
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philippe Bocquier & Sandra Brée, 2018. "A regional perspective on the economic determinants of urban transition in 19th-century France," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(50), pages 1535-1576.
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    3. Liam Brunt & Cecilia García-Peñalosa, 2022. "Urbanisation and the Onset of Modern Economic Growth," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 132(642), pages 512-545.
    4. Wu, Yuzhe & Shan, Jiaming & Choguill, Charles L., 2021. "Combining behavioral interventions with market forces in the implementation of land use planning in China: A theoretical framework embedded with nudge," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
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    1. Guolei Zhou & Zuopeng Ma & Pingyu Zhang, 2025. "The Relationship Between Population Shrinkage, Ageing, and New-Type Urbanization in Counties: The Case of Jilin Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Dinghua Ou & Jiayi Wu & Qingyan Huang & Chang Shu & Tianyi Xie & Chunxin Luo & Meng Zhao & Jiani Zhang & Jianbo Fei, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Continuity and Spatially Heterogeneous Drivers in the Historical Evolution of County-Scale Carbon Emissions from Territorial Function Utilisation in China: Evidence from Qionglai City," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-36, October.
    3. Yufei Zhao & Chaofeng Shao & Xuesong Zhan, 2025. "An Evaluation of Sustainable Development in Chinese Counties Based on SDGs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-18, May.

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