Sustainable urbanization in China: A comprehensive literature review

• Published in: Cities Vol. 55; pp. 82 - 93
• Main Authors: Tan, Yongtao, Xu, Hui, Zhang, Xiaoling
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2016
• Subjects: China; Literature reviews; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Sustainable urbanization; Urbanization; Sustainable urbanization; Sustainable development; Sustainability; China
• ISSN: 0264-2751; 1873-6084
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2016.04.002

Over the last couple of decades, urban areas around the world have been engaged in increasing initiatives, practices and experiments with a view to achieving social, economic and environmental sustainability. Echoing these movements, sustainable urbanization has entered many policy agendas. In practice, various aspects including eco-environmental protection, land development, housing, policy, population growth and migration and energy utilization have been noted and discussed by different scholars. In the context of China, these terms/keywords are found in studies across different scales and types of cities, each of which would have implications for our understanding of theory relating to sustainable urbanization. In response, this paper reports on a comprehensive literature review of these studies of sustainable urbanization, and further explores three key areas including evaluation, innovative solutions and engagement of all stakeholders that will move forward sustainable urbanization process across cities in China. •The high significance of sustainable urbanization in the context of China•A comprehensive review of studies on sustainable urbanization in China is conducted.•Relevant studies are reviewed from 6 perspectives with four types of cities.•Three key areas for the success of China's sustainable urbanization are discussed.