Rapid Urbanization In China

In general there are several reasons for moving from rural to urban areas. The main reason is that people are hoping to experience a better life in urbanized regions. As economy thrives in industrial territories, those migrants want, by shifting from agriculture and by finding employment in the service economy, be part of these dynamics. By doing so they hope for a better future for themselves and their families. Companies and industries settle down in areas surrounding cities, thus creating jobs. However, reality is different because many cities are not suitable or not properly constructed to cope with rapid urbanization, thus many people. Therefore, besides positive impacts of urbanization, negative effects can have even stronger implications

Chinese authorities emphasized on a few industrial areas by supporting only heavy industry. In other words, there were limitations for development in different economic areas and therefore no real opportunity for new jobs in the service industry for instance. By governing and controlling all sectors rapid urbanization was hindered and the process of urbanization still at an early or no stage. Even if there have been shifts from rural to urban areas, real and significant changes have occurred from the 21st century onwards. By opening and introducing economic reforms, China’s urbanization process grew at a fast pace. Five years ago, so to speak in 2011, more people lived in urban than in rural areas in China. However, China’s urbanization phenomenon is not comparable to other regions in the world and has to be examined through a more dynamic and multi-level analysis for every region. China is not a completely urbanized country and each city shows own patterns of development. Continuous GDP rise of around ten percent per annum transformed China into an economic giant in the last two decades. Chinese rural inhabitants migrated in big flows in the cities in the search for a better living for them and their families. Chinese GDP per capita rose tenfold in only a few decades. However, the negative impact of the unplanned, fast urbanization went at the expense of its economy, society and environment. In more detail, the government failed to address the ever growing, pressing environmental issues that have developed in Chinese cities. Without implementing proper solutions or measures for the ever-growing urbanized areas, China’s failed to address growing issues for the newly emerged