The scope of this book is to map China’s city clusters and their individual directions for the national-level strategies in line with the 2060 carbon neutrality plan. Since China announced the carbon neutrality plan in autumn 2020, no study has looked at the role of city clusters in achieving this long-term plan. Hence, this study is believed to be the first attempt to explore this important topic from the city cluster perspective. It explores the challenges, opportunities, and directions of all 19 city clusters, allowing readers to have a clear picture of China’s historical and ongoing progress, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. In a short time, China’s city clusters have helped boost regional economic development, infrastructure development, trade and business, and better urban–rural integration. With enhanced coordination of connection and transport networks in and between the city clusters, we see a growing number of initiatives beyond just the initial economic strategies. The dual approach of top-down policies and infrastructure systems and bottom-up governance and investments has helped China consider urban–rural development strategies and regional sustainable development. These factors are essential to be explored from the city cluster perspective and in line with China’s sustainable development and carbon neutrality directions. Hence, the book covers these points holistically, ensuring that regional planning and development are favored in the face of uneven urbanization trends.We anticipate this book to be a valuable resource for local governments and authorities, urban planners and practitioners, developers, and urban researchers. While the focus is on China’s city clusters, we believe there are similar examples elsewhere. Hence, lessons learnt from this book could apply to other countries, regions, and subregions. Lastly, the book aims to put regional sustainable development at the heart of longer-term strategies and plans, such as the case of China’s carbon neutrality plan.
Author(s): Ali Cheshmehzangi, Tian Tang
Series: Urban Sustainability
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 221
City: Singapore
Preface
Acknowledgements
About This Book
Contents
About the Authors
1 China’s Carbon Neutrality Plan Implementation and Sustainable Development Process Review
1.1 A Brief Introduction to Sustainable Development Agenda
1.2 China’s Sustainable Development and Carbon Emissions
1.2.1 China's Sustainable Development Process
1.2.2 New Sustainable Development Milestone in China
1.3 China’s Commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2060
1.3.1 China's Provincial Development and Carbon Emissions
1.3.2 Establishment of Carbon Neutral Policy System
1.4 China’s Carbon-Peaking and Carbon-Neutrality Endeavors
1.4.1 Transformation and Upgradation of Energy Systems
1.4.2 Decarbonisation of Transport and Other Industries
1.4.3 Policy Implications and Transition Framework
References
2 China’s City Cluster Development: From Megacities Development Trend to Urban Agglomeration Plan
2.1 City Cluster Development: An Urban-Led Development, Regional Development, Economic Growth and Development, or All?
2.2 A Brief Summary of China’s City Cluster Development Plan
2.3 Super Clusters
2.4 Medium and Small Clusters—8 in Each Category
2.5 China’s City Cluster Development and Carbon Neutrality
2.6 Structure and Summary of Case Study Chapters
References
3 Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Cluster: From a Political Center to a Major Industrial and Innovation Chain
3.1 A General Introduction to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Cluster
3.2 A Historical Analysis of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Cluster
3.3 An Overview of Industrial Structure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Cluster
3.4 Sustainable Development Plan: The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei City Cluster Industrial Chain and Innovation Chain
3.5 Summary: Pathways Towards Achieving China’s Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP): Opportunities and Challenges
References
4 Yangtze River Delta City Cluster: From Integrated Production and Services to Digital Technology Innovation
4.1 A Brief Introduction to the Yangtze River Delta City Cluster
4.1.1 The Cluster’s Significance: A World-Class Urban Agglomeration and China’s Window to the World
4.2 A Historical Analysis of the Yangtze River Delta
4.3 Industrial Structure in the Yangtze River Delta
4.3.1 Industrial Structure Optimisation
4.4 Sustainable Development Plan: Development of Integration of Production and Services
4.4.1 Optimising the Deep Application of Digital Technology
4.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Yangtze River Delta City Cluster
References
5 Pearl River Delta City Cluster: From Dual-Core Structure Economic Development Strategies to Regional Economic Plans
5.1 A General Introduction to the Pearl River Delta City Cluster
5.1.1 The Significance of the Pearl River Delta City Cluster: More Than Just a “Dual-Core” Structure
5.2 A Micro-Historical Analysis of the Pearl River Delta City Cluster
5.2.1 An Overview of Industrial Structure in the Pearl River Delta
5.3 Future Development Direction of the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration
5.4 Sustainable Development of the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration
5.4.1 Challenges of Sustainable Economic Development in the Pearl River Delta Region
5.4.2 Summary: Sustainable Development Responses to Carbon Neutrality Plan
5.4.3 Case Study Example: The Greater Bay Area
5.5 Pathways to Implementing and Achieving the National-Level Carbon Neutrality Plan
References
6 Chengdu-Chongqing City Cluster: From an Economic Zone to a Major Economic Circle in the Western China
6.1 A General Introduction to Chengdu-Chongqing City Cluster
6.1.1 The Cluster’s Significance: A Twin City Region and Economic Circle
6.2 A Micro-Historical Analysis of the Chengdu-Chongqing City Cluster
6.2.1 An Overview of Demographic Patterns
6.2.2 An Overview of Industrial Structure in the Chengdu-Chongqing City Cluster
6.3 Sustainable Development Plan: An Economic Zone with the Ecological Civilization Agenda
6.4 Summary of the Pathways Towards Achieving China’s Carbon Neutrality Plan (CNP)
References
7 Yangtze Mid-River Delta: China’s Strategic Fulcrum of Dynamic Growth Pole in the Form of Middle Triangle
7.1 General Introduction to the Yangtze Mid-River Delta City Cluster or Middle Triangle
7.2 A Micro-Historical Analysis of the Yangtze Mid-River Delta City Cluster
7.3 An Overview of Industrial Structure in the Yangtze Mid-River Delta
7.4 Overview of the Sustainability Agenda for the Yangtze Mid-River Delta City Cluster: Plans and Perspectives
7.4.1 Sustainable Development Plan from the Environmental Perspective
7.4.2 Sustainable Development Plan from the Economic Perspective
7.4.3 Sustainable Development Plan from the Social Perspective
7.5 Pathways to Achieve China's Carbon Neutral Plan: Opportunities and Challenges
References
8 Shandong Byland City Cluster: From an Agricultural Hub to Three Economic Circles and Industrial Clusters
8.1 A General Introduction to the Shandong Byland City Cluster
8.2 A Micro-historical Analysis of the Shandong Byland City Cluster
8.2.1 An Overview of Population Structure of the Shandong Byland City Cluster
8.3 Industrial Structure of the Shandong Byland City Cluster
8.4 Overview of the Sustainability Agenda for the Shandong Byland City Cluster
8.4.1 Sustainable Development Plan from the Environmental Perspective
8.4.2 Sustainable Development Plan from the Economic Perspective
8.4.3 Sustainable Development Plan from the Social Perspective
8.5 Pathways to Achieve China's Carbon Neutral Plan: Opportunities and Challenges
References
9 Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Region: A Network Corridor Between Three Coastal Provinces
9.1 A Brief Introduction to the Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Region
9.2 A Historical Analysis of the Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Region
9.2.1 The Significance of the Coastal City Cluster: A Strategic Coastal Network
9.3 Industrial Structure in the Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Region
9.3.1 Summary of Challenges
9.3.2 Summary of Coping Strategies
9.4 The Cluster’s Sustainability Agenda: Plans and Perspectives
9.4.1 Sustainable Development Plan from the Environmental Perspective
9.4.2 Sustainable Development Plan from the Economic Perspective
9.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Guangdong-Fujian-Zhejiang Coastal Region
References
10 Guanzhong Plain City Cluster: A Rising Inland City Cluster with a Complete Industrial System
10.1 A Brief Introduction to the Guanzhong Plain City Cluster
10.1.1 The Population Structure of the Guanzhong Plain City Cluster
10.2 A Historical Analysis of the Guanzhong Plain City Cluster
10.3 An Overview of the Industrial Structure in the Guanzhong Plain City Cluster
10.4 The Guanzhong City Cluster’s Sustainability Agenda: Plans and Perspectives
10.4.1 Sustainable Development Plan from the Social Perspective
10.4.2 Sustainable Development Plan from the Environmental Perspective
10.4.3 Sustainable Development Plan from the Economic Perspective
10.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Guanzhong Plain City Cluster
References
11 Central Plains Megalopolis: A Hub for Green Transformation and Development Beyond Just the Beijing-Guangzhou Channel
11.1 A Brief Introduction to the Central Plains Megalopolis
11.2 A Historical Analysis of the Central Plains Megalopolis
11.2.1 An Overview of Population Migration of the Central Plains Megalopolis
11.3 An Overview of the Industrial Structure in the Central Plains Megalopolis
11.4 The CPM City Cluster’s Sustainability Agenda: Plans and Perspectives
11.4.1 A Major Shift to Improve the Urban Infrastructure System
11.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Central Plains Megalopolis
References
12 Beibu Gulf City Cluster: A New Strategic Pivot to Foster New Growth Drivers
12.1 A Brief Introduction to the Beibu Gulf City Cluster
12.2 An Overview of the Cluster’s Significance Beyond a New Strategic Pivot
12.2.1 Summary of Problems in the Beibu Gulf City Cluster
12.3 Summary of Strategic Opportunities in the Beibu Gulf City Cluster
12.4 Sustainable Development Plan: A Multifaceted Approach in the Beibu Gulf City Cluster
12.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Beibu Gulf City Cluster
References
13 Megalopolis in Central Yunnan: From Local Development to Regional Industrial Clusters, Tourism, and Sustainable Production
13.1 A Brief Introduction to the Central Yunnan City Cluster
13.2 A Recent Overview of the Central Yunnan City Cluster Development Plan
13.3 Summary of the Development and Industrial Structure in the Central Yunnan City Cluster
13.3.1 An Overview of the Regional Contradictions
13.4 The Cluster’s Sustainability Agenda: Opportunities for Sustainable Development
13.4.1 Sustainable Development Plan from the Environmental Perspective
13.4.2 Sustainable Development Plan from the Social Perspective
13.4.3 Sustainable Development Plan from the Economic Perspective
13.5 Pathways to Carbon Neutrality in the Central Yunnan City Cluster
References
14 Carbon Neutrality and China’s City Cluster Development: Future Directions
14.1 City Cluster Development at a Glance
14.2 From a Pledge to Reality: Can China Achieve Carbon Neutrality? and How?
14.3 Future Directions for China’s City Clusters
14.3.1 Energy Transformation Path and Industrial Restructuring
14.3.2 From Institutional and Infrastructural Development to Social and Policy Development
14.3.3 A Holistic Process of Policy Development, Monitory, Control, and Review
14.3.4 Development of New Standards, Higher-Level Benchmarks, and Contextualised Green Development
14.3.5 From Rapid Urbanisation to High-Quality Urbanisation
14.3.6 Environmental Protection Plans, Ecological Restoration, and Low Impact Development
14.3.7 Planning Strategies at Multiple Spatial Levels for Integrated Innovation of Green and Low-Carbon Technologies
14.3.8 Consolidated Governance for Circular Economy and High-Quality Economic Development
14.3.9 Technological Innovation, Integration, and Beyond Mere Experimentation
14.4 In the Race to 2030 Carbon Peak and 2060 Carbon Neutral Plan
References
Index
