The role of the state in the process of gentrification in large scale cities of China - a Guangzhou case

Abstract

Enhanced competition among cities worldwide in globalization has accelerated the reorganization of urban settings. Gentrification emerges during urban redevelopment in this context, expanding beyond its initial birthplace in cities like London and New York to more lower-tier cities in developing countries like east Europe and China. Different from the situation in advanced cities in Europe and North America that gentrification occurs after urbanization is basically completed, counterparts in developing economies are experiencing gentrification concurrent with process of urbanization. Given the increasing evidences of gentrification in developing economies, this paper aims to look into this process using a Chinese city case, i.e. the inner city of Guangzhou. With reference to the urban redevelopment in Guangzhou, by examining the role of the state in both consumption- and production- side performances of the market, this paper finds that it is not the market power but the political power that determines the emergence of gentrification in China.