LAS4107 Chinese Cities in Transition

Spring semester

15 credits

Module Organiser: Dr Yu Chen (yu.chen@sheffield.ac.uk)

Overview

In 2011 China’s urban population reached 690 million, accounting for 51 percent of the total population. This is a profound milestone; for the first time in Chinese history more people lived in cities than in the countryside. China is entering an urban age. This module provides an overview of Chinese cities, and discusses tremendous urban transformation with the country's transition from a planned to a market economy. It includes topics on rapid urban development, rural-to-urban migration, housing market and policy, land market reform, urban sprawl, infrastructure and urban governance. The central aim of the module is to help students understand not only the complex character of changing cities but also their place within the Chinese economy and society. 

Topics Covered

• Historical Urban System

• Urban Development after 1949 

• Industrialisation Strategies 

• Migration and Spatial Mobility 

• Urban Housing Reform

• Land Use and Urban Sprawl  

• Urban Villages 

•  Urban Infrastructure 

•  Governance of City-Building 

Skills Development

• Analytical thinking will be developed by assessing the generic characteristics and uniqueness of Chinese cities through comparison and contrast of cities in China and elsewhere in lectures and seminar discussions.

• Critical Ability will be developed through the discussion of assigned readings in seminars, analysing issues in written form for the assignment.

• Independent Learning will be developed through a set of tasks in seminars and assessments to locate, evaluate and synthesise a range of learning materials and to formulate arguments by yourself for seminar discussions and final essays.

• Communication skills will be developed by expressing and defending ideas through small group discussions in seminars. 

Study Hours

The University recommends that you spend 150 hours working on a 15-credit module. This will include:

• Lecture: 10 hours

• Seminar: 10 hours

• Independent study hours: 130 hrs