Two prevalent views are reviewed on China's urbanization firstly.Then,this article highlights the characteristics and pattern of urbanization in the world based on the quadrants map,using data of 118 countries or ...Two prevalent views are reviewed on China's urbanization firstly.Then,this article highlights the characteristics and pattern of urbanization in the world based on the quadrants map,using data of 118 countries or areas.The results indicate that the process of urbanization in the world excluding the data of China has slowed down gradually.A further exploration examines China's urbanization process and economic development over time,which reveals that both urbanization level and the level of economic development belong to the low-grade coordination pattern.The low level of urbanization is closely connected with the low level of economic development.Actually,China's urbanization gap appeared during 1985-1995,but it has been eliminating this urbanization gap since 1995 as a result of rapid urbanization growing.The complicated realities revealed in this analysis challenge the existing two prevalent views.展开更多
The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The ci...The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant no.40871071)
文摘Two prevalent views are reviewed on China's urbanization firstly.Then,this article highlights the characteristics and pattern of urbanization in the world based on the quadrants map,using data of 118 countries or areas.The results indicate that the process of urbanization in the world excluding the data of China has slowed down gradually.A further exploration examines China's urbanization process and economic development over time,which reveals that both urbanization level and the level of economic development belong to the low-grade coordination pattern.The low level of urbanization is closely connected with the low level of economic development.Actually,China's urbanization gap appeared during 1985-1995,but it has been eliminating this urbanization gap since 1995 as a result of rapid urbanization growing.The complicated realities revealed in this analysis challenge the existing two prevalent views.
文摘The paper analyzes the current trends of urban transformation and delineates an underlying rationale which enables the comprehension of the current character of Arab city with particular reference to Al-Khobar. The city form is subjected to a re-reading arguments of which are based on critical interpretation of the mechaitisms of urban morphology in relation not only to the impacts of global economy and building boom but also to the means of perception of urban space by different strata of the urban realm. Thus, urban morphology of the city is studied as a medium which manifests a dissociation, and thus duality, between social structure and its physical container. The paper further argues that uncritical import of urban and architectural typologies seem to create a peculiar type of urban-architectural forgery that is usually reduced to skin-deep facade mimicry. Particularly, solo performances of shiny high-rise buildings and sharp contrasts of street fronts between main arteries and back streets depict impressions of fragmentation and segregation. The emerging urban-scape that can be associated with the cultural and economic leap in Arab regions today is critically evaluated. Thus, the paper proposes judicious and critical planning policy instead of direct import of global urban-architectural typologies.
