The role of stakeholders and their participation network in decision-making of urban renewal in China: The case of Chongqing

• Published in: Cities Vol. 92; pp. 47 - 58
• Main Authors: Zhuang, Taozhi, Qian, Queena K., Visscher, Henk J., Elsinga, Marja G., Wu, Wendong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: China; Data collection; Decision making; Interest groups; Participation; Power; Questionnaires; Renewal; Research methodology; Social network analysis; Social networks; Stakeholder analysis; Stakeholders; Urban renewal; Urbanization; China; Urban renewal; Stakeholder analysis; Social network analysis; Decision making; China
• ISSN: 0264-2751; 1873-6084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2019.03.014

Since the late 1970s, China's fast growth of economy and urbanization have driven large-scale urban renewal projects. To deal with complex urban problems, urban renewal requires integrated, coordinated and multifaceted strategies involving a wide range of stakeholders. A deeper understanding of the stakeholders in the decision-making process is an essential step towards sustainable urban renewal. This paper aims to understand the stakeholders and their participation in the decision-making of urban renewal in China, using the case of Chongqing. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey. Stakeholder Analysis and Social Network Analysis were complemented as the research methodology. First, the stakeholders involved in urban renewal decision-making were clarified. Second, the characteristics, including knowledge, power, and interest of each stakeholder, were analyzed. Third, the relationships between stakeholders were probed, and the structure of their network was examined. Finally, policy implications were drawn to the issues of stakeholder participation in urban renewal decision-making in China. •The stakeholders' interaction network is of high complexity.•Multiple layers of governmental sectors involved cause significant barriers to cooperation.•The informal participation of developers may create side effects on the outcomes.•Most stakeholders hold negative perceptions of public participation.•Specific laws, regulations, and accountability are needed in decision-making.