Eco-cities in China: national initiatives, local implementation and livelihood transitions

Over the last two decades, China has started building hundreds of eco-cities. What is driving this unprecedented construction? And how do these eco-cities manifest on the ground? Do the eco-cities bring about a better life for Chinese people? Drawing from my decade-long research on Chinese eco-cities, this chapter begins by illustrating how eco-cities were deployed as a strategic policy tool in China’s transition into a post-industrial, consumer-oriented society. It also traces the historical context that made new town construction the dominant form of Chinese eco-cities, a trend that helps explain the common implementation challenges such as overly ambitious plans, mass relocation of the original residents, inability to properly fund projects, high cost of the housing units, and unattractive locations. Lastly, this chapter discusses how these eco-city developments changed personal life trajectories. Among the displaced residents, some suffered economic setbacks while others thrived through exploiting the compensation scheme. For residents of the new eco-cities, many experienced disrupted social relations, job losses and mobility constraints. These experiences cast doubt on whether eco-cities can bring a better life for all. In the conclusion, this chapter highlights the major structural uncertainties and opportunities for ecological urbanism in China and calls for more research on the subject.