Reclaiming the Neighbourhood. Urban redevelopment, citizen activism, and conflicts of recognition in Guangzhou

Abstract

China p erspe ctiv es Sp ecial feature Reclaiming the Neighbourhood Urban redevelopment, citizen activism, and conflicts of recognition in Guangzhou BE TTINA GRANSOW ABSTRACT: This study examines social interventions into the everyday life of residents, families, and communities during a redevelopment project in an old town neighbourhood of Guangzhou. It further analyses how citizen activism unfolds in response to these redevelopment interventions. To better understand contention over the renewal of an old town neighbourhood-beyond negotiation of compensation for economic losses-the study is structured by a recognition-theoretical model of social conflict following Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser.

High mountains and the faraway emperor: Overcoming barriers to citizen participation in China’s urban planning practices

“…Due to a high degree of autonomy of local governments over the scale and nature of the planning system, the decision-making and implementation processes have been difficult to regulate (Zhang & Li 2016). As Gransow (2014) highlights, procedural requirements for citizen participation have been vague, public hearings can be manipulated and there is insufficient representation or other means to achieve clearly defined results (p.24). In many cities, land use planning simply becomes the lingdaos' political tool for promotion.…”

“…Once the next lingdao has taken over, they have tended to have a different set of policies that reflected their achievements during their term rather than those of their predecessors. As a result, planning decisions have tended to lack public consultation (Gransow 2014, Tang 2015, Zhao 2015.…”

“…In doing so, public concern over government-funded mega-projects (see Qi et al 2016, Fung 2015 and controversial demolition and redevelopment of old town areas (see Gransow 2014, Tan & Altrock 2016 may be better addressed.…”

“…With increased fiscal responsibilities and administrative powers devolved to local governments, many Chinese cities suffer from unsustainable growth. Whilst local governments have been keen to improve physical infrastructure, they have often paid much less attention to how residents are affected by planning outcomes (Gransow 2014). State-sanctioned development projects have replaced selfbuilt neighbourhoods, with tremendous demolition and eviction during the implementation of regeneration strategies (see Wu 2015, Tan & Altrock 2016, Sun et al 2016, Zhang & Li 2016.…”

“…Despite this requirement from Central Government, detailed administrative procedures to implement this legislation at local government level have not been carried out in many Chinese cities (Zhao 2015). A number of critics have therefore argued for a more genuine and engaged form of citizen participation in local planning issues (see Gransow 2014, Fan 2015, Fung 2015, Zhang & Li 2016, Tang 2015, Tan and Altrock 2016. Whilst Chinese academics have more recently highlighted a growth in public engagement at the micro-level, for instance, in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) of public projects (see e.g.…”