Urbanization and Informal Development in China: Urban Villages in Shenzhen

Informal housing and industrial developments in the so-called urban villages have been key features of the recent Chinese urbanization. In this article we will examine the development of urban villages in one of the most dynamic Chinese cities - Shenzhen. The article first reviews the urbanization and migration process in the region and the emergence of urban villages. It then examines informal housing, commercial and industrial developments in these villages. We analyse the politics of village urbanization and highlight the important relationship between migration and informal village development. We emphasize the contribution made by urban villages in providing affordable housing and jobs for the low-income population during the rapid urbanization and urge cautious consideration with regard to hasty and large-scale redevelopment of these villages. We conclude that the development of urban villages is a very important part of the urbanization process. Resume L'habitat informel et les amenagements commerciaux et industriels dans les villages dits urbains constituent des caracteristiques essentielles de la recente urbanisation chinoise. Cet article examine le developpement des villages urbains dans l'une des villes les plus dynamiques: Shenzhen. L'article revient d'abord sur les processus d'urbanisation et de migration dans la region et sur l'emergence des villages urbains. Il s'attache ensuite l'habitat informel, ainsi qu'aux amenagements commerciaux et industriels, dans ces villages. La politique d'urbanisation des villages est analysee, mettant en evidence le lien important entre migration et amenagement informel des villages. L'etude souligne que les villages urbains fournissent des logements accessibles financierement et des emplois la population faible revenu pendant la phase rapide d'urbanisation, et insiste sur les precautions prendre vis--vis d'un reamenagement precipite et grande echelle de ces villages. La conclusion met en avant combien le developpement des villages urbains est important dans le processus d'urbanisation.