This study analyzes whole range of locally-specific governance structures and practices in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. Extending this line of inquiry to the village level, we examine how the local governments has engaged village organizations, villagers and other actors in resolving land conflicts and various problems arising from rapid urbanization under the context of China’s urban-rural dualist system. 

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This research aims at (1) advancing the understanding of how and why local governance practice and outcome vary from place to place in urbanizing China; and(2) reflecting on the findings of this research, we hope to contribute to the broader intellectual discourse about state restructuring and local governance in the global context, which have exhibited policy moves towards state power decentralization, public-private partnership, citizen empowerment and civic engagement as alternative governing strategies in realizing collective interests under the powerful influence of economic globalization and neo-liberalization.

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Acknowledgement

Research findings of this study come from a research grant from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/web/en/home/index.html

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