published_or_final_version / China Development Studies / Master / Master of Arts in China Development Studies

The study explores the relationship between lineage, social capital and in situ urbanization of “villages within city” in the context of China’s rapid urban expansion. The literature reviewed shows that there have been studies on many aspects of “villages within city” since the middle 1990s. However, the role of lineages during the in situ urbanization of “villages within city” is largely under-examined and remains as a research gap. This study endeavors to fill this cross-disciplinary gap. Taking notice of the differences between single-lineage “villages within city” and multi-lineage ones, the study explores the following two research questions: (1) does the level of social capital vary among “villages within city” with different lineage structures? If yes, in what way? (2) does social capital in “villages within city” influence the outcomes of urbanization? If yes, what role does it play? In order to address the above research questions, the study firstly consults three areas of study, namely, lineage, social capital and in situ urbanization of “villages within city”. Through examining the relationships among the three key research variables, the thesis demonstrates the significance of theoretical integration of the three concepts and develops a tentative analytical framework. Given the different lineage structures, it is hypothesized that single-lineage “villages within city”, compared with multi-lineage ones, are more likely to possess higher levels of social capital at the administrative village level, and thus could achieve better outcomes of urbanization. To test the hypotheses, two representative “villages within city” with different lineage structures in Futian district of Shenzhen — the single-lineage Xiasha administrative village (including six natural villages which are lived by six Huang sub-lineages) and the multi-lineage Shawei administrative village (including three natural villages that are inhabited by different lineages of Wen, Mo and Liang) — are selected as the case study sites after examining the development trajectory of villages and lineages in Shenzhen. The empirical study measures the levels of social capital in Xiasha and Shawei at both the natural village level and administrative village level through the use of a questionnaire survey, and examines the outcomes of urbanization of Xiasha and Shawei through literature review, department interview, site study and observation. Three major findings are identified through analyzing the case study: (1) lineage structures in some Chinese “villages within city” are institutional legacies of rural collectivization in the late 1950s; (2) there exists a higher level of social capital at the administrative village level in single-lineage “village within city” than that in multi-lineage one; (3) social capital at the administrative village level, other than that at the natural village level, has a positive role in promoting in situ urbanization of “villages within city” in terms of collective economy development, physical environment construction and lineage culture reservation. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

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

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

published_or_final_version / Sociology / Master / Master of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985. / Also available in print.

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration