Is the incipient Chinese civil society playing a role in regenerating historic urban areas? Evidence from Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai

Verdini, G. 2015. Is the incipient Chinese civil society playing a role in regenerating historic urban areas? Evidence from Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai. Habitat International. 50, pp. 366-372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.09.008

TitleIs the incipient Chinese civil society playing a role in regenerating historic urban areas? Evidence from Nanjing, Suzhou and Shanghai
TypeJournal article
AuthorsVerdini, G.
Abstract

Urban regeneration in Western countries can count on a long-lasting tradition of experiences in which civil society has played a fundamental role in counterbalancing the system of power, resulting in profound urban governance readjustments. This has been the result of the increasing centrality of horizontal alliances between citizens and associations involved in urban affairs since the late 1960s in the West.
Similar theoretical frameworks have been applied in China. However, these have frequently resulted in conceptual shortcuts that depict civil society as immature or lacking and the state as authoritarian. This paper will explore whether these categories are still entirely valid to urban regeneration in China. While the regime has traditionally prevented horizontal linkages of associations in urban governance (supporting their vertical integration to ensure a certain degree of soft control), there are signs of change. In particular, three cases of urban regeneration in historic areas will be used to discuss the changing role played by civil society in China. The ultimate goal is to examine whether horizontal linkages across groups of heterogeneous citizens are arising at the micro-level of urban governance.

KeywordsUrban regeneration, Historic districts, Horizontal linkages, Community, Civil society, China
JournalHabitat International
Journal citation50, pp. 366-372
ISSN0197-3975
Year2015
PublisherElsevier
Accepted author manuscript
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.09.008
Web address (URL)http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2015.09.008
Publication dates
Published in printDec 2015
Published online19 Sep 2015

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