P. Gaubatz, China's urban transformation: Patterns and processes of morphological change in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, URBAN STUD, 36(9), 1999, pp. 1495-1521
New urban and economic development are transforming the fundamental nature
and structure of China's cities. The distinctive patterns wrought by overla
ying socialist ideals on the pre-1949 city are giving way to new forms refl
ecting the country's dynamic economic, social and political conditions. Thi
s article provides an analysis of the patterns acid processes of change in
urban form in contemporary Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Analysis of the
se rapidly changing cities highlights both the regional variation in urban
development in China and the emergence of common trends in development and
form. The article focuses on patterns of land-use specialisation, circulati
on and building height, and processes of planning, urban renewal and privat
isation of the real estate market.