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The size distribution and growth pattern of cities in China, 1982–2010: analysis and policy implications

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  • Kam Wing Chan
  • Guanghua Wan

Abstract

China's urbanization in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries is a crucial process in transforming the country. Taking advantage of the de facto counts of city population in the last four censuses since 1982, this paper examines the city-size distribution and growth pattern of large cities in China in recent three decades. Combined with earlier data and work on the Mao era, the paper also presents some long-term trends and helps answer an important question: was China successful in controlling the growth of large cities? In addition, the paper analyzes the main features of China's urbanization policy in relation to the political economy and development strategy, and concludes with a discussion of the relevance of this study to the latest urbanization policy and the household registration system or hukou reforms in large cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Kam Wing Chan & Guanghua Wan, 2017. "The size distribution and growth pattern of cities in China, 1982–2010: analysis and policy implications," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(1), pages 136-155, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjapxx:v:22:y:2017:i:1:p:136-155
    DOI: 10.1080/13547860.2016.1266829
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank & P.R.C. Development Research Center of the State Council, 2012. "China 2030 : Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative High-Income Society [pre-publication version]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 6057.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yingchao Lin & Yongle Li & Zhili Ma, 2018. "Exploring the Interactive Development between Population Urbanization and Land Urbanization: Evidence from Chongqing, China (1998–2016)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Yun Liang & John Gibson, 2017. "Location or Hukou: What Most Limits Fertility of Urban Women in China?," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(3), pages 527-540, September.
    3. Yang Yang, 2023. "Hukou Identity and Economic Behaviours: A Social Identity Perspective," Erudite Ph.D Dissertations, Erudite, number ph23-02 edited by Catherine Bros & Julie Lochard.
    4. Nobuhiro Okamoto, 2019. "Spatial and institutional urbanisation in China," Asia-Pacific Journal of Regional Science, Springer, vol. 3(3), pages 863-886, October.
    5. Xiaosu Ye & Lie Ma & Kunhui Ye & Jiantao Chen & Qiu Xie, 2017. "Analysis of Regional Inequality from Sectoral Structure, Spatial Policy and Economic Development: A Case Study of Chongqing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Lie Ma & Dandan Li & Xiaobo Tao & Haifeng Dong & Bei He & Xiaosu Ye, 2017. "Inequality, Bi-Polarization and Mobility of Urban Infrastructure Investment in China’s Urban System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.
    7. Chao Li & John Gibson, 2018. "Regional Inequality in China allowing for Spatial Cost-of-Living Differences: Evidence from a Hedonic Analysis of Apartment Prices," Working Papers in Economics 18/12, University of Waikato.
    8. Peter Rangazas & Xiaobing Wang & Yuxiang Zou, 2022. "China's efficient urban bias," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 223-253, August.

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