Hierarchy, Power, and Spatial Governance: The Evolution of China’s Urban Planning System

Activity: Talk or presentationInvited talk

Description

This presentation explores the conceptual foundations, political context, and evolution of China’s urban and regional planning system. Dr. Daniel Yonto will take you through how China’s hierarchical administrative structure shapes resource allocation and planning outcomes, often disadvantaging lower-tier jurisdictions. The discussion traces the trajectory of China’s urbanization—from its post-1949 planned economy roots to its current market-driven, globally integrated phase—highlighting persistent regional disparities and urban-rural divides. Central to the analysis is the transformation of China’s planning regime, particularly the shift from single-dimensional economic plans (Five-Year Plans) to integrated spatial frameworks like the National Territory Spatial Planning (NTSP, 2018–present). The NTSP unifies previously fragmented systems under the Ministry of Natural Resources, emphasizing ecological civilization through "three bottom lines": ecological protection, farmland preservation, and urban growth boundaries. The cases of Shanghai’s urban fabric and Chongqing’s spatial stratification illustrate these dynamics, while critiques address imbalances in development priorities. The presentation concludes by situating China’s urbanisation (66.16% in 2023) within global contexts, underscoring its unique governance model and future challenges.
Period6 Aug 2025
Held atSchool of Architecture, Design, and Planning, Lovely Professional University, India
Degree of RecognitionInternational