CCCH9002 China: Culture, State and Society

Chinese Cities in the 21st Century

This course is under the thematic cluster(s) of:

  • Sustaining Cities, Cultures, and the Earth (SCCE)
  • The Human Lifespan (HL)

SDG-09
SDG-11
Sustainable Development Goals

Course Website Timetable for Lectures Required Reading

Course Description

This course provides students with an understanding of the evolution and driving forces of urban development in major Chinese cities in the last four decades; helps them to develop an appreciation of the rapidly changing urban development and landscapes in Chinese cities; and exposes them to the key issues and challenges facing these cities in the 21st century. The topics covered include urban economic development, housing, transport, urban sustainability and planning.

Course Learning Outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the evolution and modernization of Chinese cities in the past three decades.
  2. Identify important issues and challenges facing contemporary Chinese cities.
  3. Identify possible solutions to address these problems and challenges and investigate their implications for the sustainability of Chinese cities.
  4. Identify key problems of a Chinese city based on its urban development history and current conditions.

Offer Semester and Day of Teaching

Second semester (Wed)

Study Load

Activities Number of hours
Lectures 24
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self-study 30
Assessment: Essay / Report writing 40
Assessment: Presentation (incl preparation) 24
Assessment: Examination (incl preparation) 20
Total: 150

Assessment: 60% coursework; 40% examination

Assessment Tasks Weighting
Reflective Journal 10
Tutorial Participation 10
Group project and presentation 40
Examination 40

Required Reading

  • Ma, L. J. C., & Wu, F. (2005). Restructuring the Chinese city: Changing society, economy and space. London; New York: Routledge.
  • Wu. F. (2015). Planning for Growth: Urban and Regional Planning in China. London: Routledge.
  • Wu, F., Xu, J., & Yeh, A. G. O. (2007). Urban development in post-reform China: State, market, and space. London; New York: Routledge.
  • Wu, W., & Gaubatz, P. (2020). The Chinese city (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
  • Yeh, G. O., Yang, F. F., & Wang, J. (2015). Economic transition and urban transformation of China: The interplay of the state and the market. Urban Studies, 52(15), 2822–2848.

Course Co-ordinator and Teacher(s)

Course Co-ordinator Contact
Professor G. Sun
Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture		 Tel: 3917 5173
Email: gbsun@hku.hk
Teacher(s) Contact
Professor G. Sun
Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture		 Tel: 3917 5173
Email: gbsun@hku.hk