The Transformation And Governance Of China’s Urban Waterscape

Following China’s dramatic political and economic institutional reforms since the 1980 s,as well as the rapid promotion of globalization,China’s cities have experienced a series of transitions,including the acceleration of information flow,the emergence of new industry,the hybridity of culture,urban spatial reconstruction,the diversity of regional networks,and so on.At the same time,the relationship between China’s cities and water is also undergoing dramatic transformation in multiple spheres such as politics,economics,society,culture,and the environment.Combining multi-disciplined theoretical knowledge,and based on the perspective of “holism”,this study follows a “concept construction-theoretical framework-on the transformation of China’s urban waterscape-on the governance of China’s urban waterscape” sequence of thought,both theoretically and practically.Drawing upon a large amount of original data gained through participant observation and on-the-spot interviews during long-term field work,as well as second hand data from related literatures,this study seeks to provide an in-depth analysis of the transformation and governance issues in relation to China’s urban waterscape.The study consists of six chapters: chapter 1 formulates the concept and classification of urban waterscape based on a review of related theories.Chapter 2,drawing on an overview of relevant theories,provides a stage by stage analysis of the political-economic background and urban regime behind the transformation of China’s urban waterscape,following which it then focuses on the transition of capital circulation and accumulation,as well as on the participant roles and alliances of various actor networks;finally it attempts to construct a model of the “hydro-social cycle” network in transformation.In chapters 3 and 4,using comprehensive qualitative and quantitative research methods in two case studies,namely Lanzhou and Chengdu,with each city themselves containing multiple smaller case studies,this study looks at three types of transformation: the urban waterscape of bodies of water and waterfronts,urban infrastructural waterscapes,and urban cultural waterscapes.Finally,based on an in-depth analysis of the cases of Lanzhou and Chengdu,chapter 5 produces some conclusions in relation to the governance framework of China’s urban waterscape.The conclusions are as follows:(1)Based on an in-depth analysis and dissection of the concept of waterscape,this study contributes to a fresh insight into the meaning of urban waterscape,which includes visuals,locality,materiality,culture,politics and other features.On this basis,urban waterscapes can be divided into three types: the urban waterscape of bodies of water and waterfronts,the urban infrastructural waterscape,and the urban cultural waterscape.(2)The transformation of China’s urban waterscape is a complex process with a series of hybrid features: cooperation and conflict,globalization and localization,path-dependency and uncertainty,as well as modernity and postmodernism.The transformation process is mainly driven by macro structural forces;however,the behavior of certain individuals and organizations can play a significant role in particular spheres,and chance incidents or conflicts at the local level can also make a difference to the transformation of China’s urban waterscape.In addition,there are differences between cities: Lanzhou’s urban waterscape is more influenced by business,while that of Chengdu seems to be influenced by both commerce and public welfare.(3)Having three different transformation paths,the three kinds of urban waterscape(the urban waterscape of bodies of water and waterfronts,the urban infrastructural waterscape,and the urban cultural waterscape),have their own “hydro-social cycle” networks,as well as interacting with each other to form an overall network.The transformation of bodies of water and waterfronts is closely related to urban regeneration and real estate development,with both public and commercial features: with regard to this the related investment,construction and management gradually transformed from a unitary administrative logic into the logic of government-enterprise cooperation.Most urban infrastructure waterscapes are for the public good;however due to the growth of both technological progress and that of government investment resulting in the expansion of public-private cooperation,some installations may also indirectly promote the development of real estate.Planning for urban cultural waterscapes has evolved from a government-led approach to a simultaneous combination of approaches,including commercialization where there are real estate and tourism opportunities,and a public welfare route in the case of input by voluntary associations.(4)The transformation of China’s urban waterscape can be divided into the following stages: in the planned economy period(stage 1),involving industrialization and slow urbanization,water infrastructure enhanced the security and development of industry as well as urban areas,but contributed to a diminishing connection between humans and water,due to the fact that increasing water reclamation and pollution led to a loss of water culture;in the early reform period(stage 2),involving industrialization together with rapid urbanization,the problems of water reclamation and pollution intensified,and river restoration and waterfront regeneration projects were implemented in order to solve these problems and change the image of the urban waterscape;in the later reform period(stage 3),accelerated urbanization has led to the construction of more water infrastructure;in addition water reclamation and the creation of man-made wetlands have happened simultaneously,and a proportion of the eco-infrastructure and revitalized culture waterscapes have promoted the development of real estate,gentrification and the new economy.Moreover,there has been a growth in awareness of the public good in a number of cities;in later period of.this stage,it shows a new trend of focusing on both economic growth and sustainable development due to a state-led eco-civilization policy.(5)China’s urban waterscape governance model has transformed from government-led mobilization,investment and management in the planned economy period,to government guided government-enterprise,government-society and multilevel cooperation in the reform period.Currently,the governance of China’s urban waterscape is located in a position between “authority” and “collaboration”.Future governance strategy should focus on locality,casualty,sustainability,conflict-management,and integration,in order to promote mutually profitable outcomes,and to continue to advance multiple goals and multiple value inclusive development.