“Places and Housing? Poor Villages and Monster Cities!”Rural Catch-Up and Regional Convergence, New Cooperation Regions, Green and Livable Mega-Cities, New Forests Around New Skyscrapers, the Network of Green Cities, Accessible Public Services, Local Participation, and Self-Governance

This chapter examines China’s strategies for addressing the urban-rural divide and reimagining urbanization through innovative regional planning, sustainable mega-cities, and local governance. It focuses on the shift from a highly centralized to a more decentralized spatial structure, exemplified by the Jing-Jin-Ji cooperative region, which aims to alleviate congestion in Beijing while fostering urban-rural integration. The chapter also explores the evolution of China’s urban policy, from “Smart Cities” to “Wise Cities”, highlighting how technological advancements and ecological design contribute to more livable, sustainable urban environments. In contrast to popular Western narratives, the chapter argues that China’s approach is not a top-down surveillance state, but a model of well-organized, green, and efficiently managed urban spaces. Additionally, the chapter delves into the role of Shequ (neighborhood committees), which have emerged as essential players in community governance. These grassroots organizations facilitate social welfare, local participation, and mutual aid, particularly during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a distinctive model of self-governance. In the broader context, the chapter suggests that China’s urbanization and governance experiments present an alternative path toward regional development and local democracy, diverging from Western models by aiming for greater social cohesion and sustainability.