The urban governance of brownfield restructuring in China: The case of Guangzhou's T.I.T Creative Industry Zone

Abstract

Over the past several years, the creative reuse of brownfields has played a major role in Chinese cities to give their urban landscape a so-called second development. This paper analyses the governance of the brownfield restructuring in Guangzhou (Canton). The research is based on a study of the T.I.T Creative Industry Zone, a highly successful creative space currently in danger of demolition. This paper follows DiGaetano and Strom's (2003) analytical governance framework. This approach allows for deciphering the complexities of decision-making through a well-structured set of interdependent categories. In Guangzhou, new policies and institutions have been promoting the restructuring and have contributed to the formalisation of public-private interactions. In general, this indicates a shift towards a more corporatist governance. However, the study of T.I.T reveals a rather intricate picture: the policymaking remains influenced by a top-down authoritative style -sometimes in an arbitrary manner -and to some extent also by particularistic exchanges. This indicates a complex mode of urban governance consisting of increasingly corporatist elements but still with managerial, and to a lesser extent, clientelistic elements. Finally, the coexistence of different governance modes seems to be a typical outcome of China's transition while still remaining more adaptive, experimental and flexible in nature.

Unsuccessful Urban Governance of Brownfield Land Redevelopment: A Lesson from the Toxic Soil Event in Changzhou, China

“…Part of the reason for the situation is absence of regulations in the process of BLR [1,14]. However, as we state, the economic transition and growth driven by urban land reuse are surely much more important.…”

“…Governance refers to "the process of regulating, coordination and control, including governmental and, increasingly, private actors" [1] (p. 93). In recent research, there were hints of problems that must be overcome to build a sustainable and successful urban governance of BLR which involves two levels.…”

“…To combat these problems, policies regarding the promotion of industrial upgrading and policies working to "suppress the second industry and develop the third industry" have been applied [1]. As a result, many polluting and energy intensive activities have been required to move out of urban areas to peripheral or rural areas [2].…”

“…This percentage must increase to 95 percent by 2030. Despite targets and macro management of soil pollution abatement, the action plan cannot change the situation that with regard to lacking safety standards, regulations and policies [1,14].…”

Identification of Key Success Factors for Private Science Parks Established from Brownfield Regeneration: A Case Study from China

“…argued that, besides economic benefits, brownfield regeneration projects could create more values for stakeholders and established a brownfield opportunity matrix to identify the opportunities for creating brownfield regeneration values [15]. Zielke P. by taking a creative industrial park in Guangzhou as an example, analyzed the problems of brownfield regeneration in China based on the existing framework of brownfield management and discussed the governance model of brownfield regeneration in China [16]. Several scholars have mentioned the significance and values of creative brownfield regeneration.…”