published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

The Greater Pearl River Delta (GPRD) region in China has been dramatically changing since the economic reform in the late 1970s. The ‘front shop back factory’ model of industrialisation and urbanisation between Hong Kong and the hinterland cities in the region had resulted in the significant economic success, which albeit encountered several bottleneck problems. To tackle them, a new development pattern seems emerging, with more focuses on balanced growth and regional synergy in accordance with industrial upgrading towards the knowledge-intensive economy. Through the review of related literature, the research on the new pattern is linked with various classical theories and developmental concepts in the fields of industrial geography, technological innovation, as well as urban and regional planning and development. It reveals that these theories and concepts would contribute to the transition of GPRD’s industrialisation and urbanisation. Moreover, it is indicated that the concept of ‘technopole’ and its planning and development can contribute to this new pattern of urban and regional growth under current circumstances. To study the new pattern, the author conducts a detailed case study on Shenzhen, a planned city in the region with a short development history and successful economic growth attributed to economic reform. Based on a qualitative effort of data collection through secondary-data and documentary research, the study employs multiple methods for the description, interpretation, and deduction of the case, towards the understanding on three key research themes: new growth pattern (balanced development and regional synergy), urban and regional planning, and technopole development. The case study aims to fill in the gaps between Western theories and their application in China, and build connections between academic exploration and real practice. The planning and development history of Shenzhen and an overview of the city’s technopole development are documented, which illustrate a picture of industrialisation, urbanisation, and technological development in the study area. The evolution of growth centres and their contribution to the city’s growth trajectory are also analysed. At the same time, three typical technopoles of the city, namely, the Shenzhen High-tech Industrial Park (SHIP), the Huaqiangbei area, and the Overseas Chinese Town (OCT), are taken into examination, leading to categories of findings: spatial establishment, development pattern, and key characteristics of innovative milieux. Through the case study of Shenzhen and its technopoles, the research came to a conclusion in three aspects. First, the linkages between Western theories and their application in China are identified, which provide a feasible theoretical support for the new development pattern. Second, progress in planning and development system is concluded in accordance with the transition of the city and the evolution of the growth centres, which is expected to facilitate better understanding and implementation of the new pattern. Third, key issues of planning and making of technopoles are summarized based on the case of Shenzhen, leading to suggestions on possible improvement for future development. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy