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China’s Urban Transition John Friedmann REVIEWS |
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A timely and thorough analysis of China’s rapid urban growth. Though China’s urban history reaches back over five thousand years, it is only in the past quarter century that urbanization has emerged as a force of widespread social transformation while a massive population shift from country to city has brought about a dramatic revolution in China’s culture, politics, and economy. Employing a historical perspective, John Friedmann presents a succinct, readable account and interpretation of how this transition—one of the most momentous phenomena in contemporary history—has occurred. China’s Urban Transition synthesizes a broad array of research to provide the first integrated treatment of the many processes that encompass the multi-layered meaning of urbanization: regional policy, the upsurge of rural industries, migration, expanding spheres of personal autonomy, and the governance of city building. John Friedmann’s detailed analysis suggests that the nation’s economic development has been driven more by social forces from within than by global capital. This leads directly to the epic story of rural migration to major urban regions, the policies used to restrain and direct this “avalanche” of humanity on the move, and the return of many migrants to their home communities, where the process of urbanization continues. Focusing on everyday life in cities, the author also shows how this social transformation extends to the most intimate spheres of people’s lives. In conclusion, he raises the question of a “sustainable” urban development and its relation with China’s own past, values, and institutions. Friedmann predicts that within ten years China—already the most powerful country in East Asia—will have become a major power in the world. With historical depth, interpretive insight, and interdisciplinary breadth, this book offers an unparalleled introduction to China’s transformation. “This book has opened up an important debate.” —Urban Studies Journal “Timely and thought-provoking. This book deftly captures the most essential aspects of urban transition in China and traces its connection with history, traditional values, and institutional evolution. This book not only helps students, scholars, and people outside China’s borders to understand China’s urbanism, but also stimulates the ‘China specialists’ to ponder about the connection between China’s own development trajectory and today’s stunning urban transition beyond the explicatory effects of globalization.” —China Information “A succinct and compelling story of China’s stunning process of urbanization in the post-Mao era. Highly recommended.” —Choice “This is a balanced, highly-well-informed, and extremely readable book that I would heartily recommend for a novice who wants a quick and insightful look at today’s People’s Republic.” —Journal of Planning Education and Research “It summarizes the relevant English-language literature on China’s urbanization and offers a multilayered story of China’s accelerated urbanization during the post-Mao era. There is little doubt that John Friedmann has made an important contribution to the growing literature on this topic. He has done an excellent job in synthesizing a wide range of research and combining it with the integrated treatment of China’s urban transformation process.” —Environment and Planning A “The slim volume is fast-paced and well-written, and seeks succinctly to traverse a wide range of issues related to urbanization processes whilst providing clear and basic definitions for most of the phenomena he encounters along the way.” —The China Journal “Overall, the book is an articulate and holistic treatment of contemporary urban China. The book also has strength in that it gives the reader a sense of the multifaceted nature of China’s urban transition.” —Social and Cultural Geography “John Friedmann displays an amazing ability in synthesizing and integrating pertinent aspects of the most exciting and rapid urbanization processes of an ancient civilization.” —disP "John Friedmann, a well-known, retired UCLA urban and regional planner, wrote this book for the people he represents: intelligent, interested nonspecialists,. He succeeds admirably with an amply illastrated volume of 128 accompanied by copious notes and references revealing his academic background."—Economic Geography John Friedmann is professor emeritus of the School of Public Policy and Social Research at the University of California, Los Angeles, and honorary professor at the University of British Columbia. He is the author of many distinguished works, most recently The Prospect of Cities. 200 pages | 10 halftones, 3 figure, 5 maps | 5 7⁄8 x 9 | 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Historical Traces Conclusion |
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$18.95 Paper