China: A New Trajectory Prioritizing Rural Rather Than Urban Development?

The adverse effects of rapid urbanization are global concern. Careful planning for and accommodation accelerating citizenization (i.e., migrants gaining official urban residency) may be the best approach to limit some worst impacts. However, we find that another trajectory possible: one linked rural development plan adopted in latest Chinese national strategy. This aims build areas as attractive settlement by 2050 rather than further urbanize with more people cities. We assess political motivations challenges behind this choice develop based on a literature review empirical case analysis. After assessing policy subsystem, five socio-political drivers China’s strategy, namely ensuring food security, promoting culture heritage, addressing overcapacity, emphasizing environmental protection eradicating poverty. To areas, China needs effectively resolve three dilemmas: (1) implementing decentralized policies under central supervision; (2) deploying limited resources efficiently achieve targets; (3) competing narratives current policies. Involving community voices, adopting multiple forms local governance, identifying mitigating negative project impacts can starting points manage these dilemmas.