Exploring the impact of New Resettlement Area’s on the well-being of local residents: a case study in Chongqing , China
Submitted by: Manlin Li Dissertation supervisor: Prof. Ryan Woolrych
Heriot-Watt University School of the Built Environment A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Urban & Regional Planning 14/08/2015
Abstract
This dissertation seeks to critically evaluate the extent to which the transition from Village in the City (VIC) to a New Resettlement Area (NRA) has impacted on the well-being of local residents, through a case study of the Xin Wu Jia Yuan New Resettlement Area (XWJY NRA) in Chongqing, China. Along with rapid urbanization in China, the issue of VIC is a specific urban phenomenon that has emerged in metropolitan cities. The people living in VIC are widely seen as living in poor conditions, in high-density, overcrowded and irregular housing developments. In response to this, the Chinese government initiated a large-scale redevelopment approach, re-housing people in New Resettlement Areas. Thus, large amounts of indigenous villagers have been moved into New Resettlement Areas, where they are provided with new affordable housing. Although research has identified the various impacts of the VIC in terms of economic and social benefits little is known about the everyday impacts on those residents who have transitioned into the NRA. This paper focuses on investigating the impact of moving into the New Resettlement Areas on the well-being of local residents. This is achieved through conducting semi-structured interviews with local residents living in the case study area. The findings identified five key impacts of the move on residents’ well-being including: 1. Familiarity, Social cohesion and Community well-being. 2. Living conditions, Everyday activities and Environmental well-being. 3.Crime, Safety and Social well-being. 4. Work, Economic security and Economic well-being. 5. Amenity, Accessibility, Place attachment and
well-being. This research makes recommendations for future urban development practice regarding New Resettlement Areas including the need for greater resident involvement in the consultation process, development that offers more inclusive and accessible services and amenities and greater choice for local residents when moving into the resettlement area.
Keywords: Village in the City, displacement, New Resettlement Area, housing, well-being, China
I
Acknowledgements
I would like to begin by thanking my supervisor, Ryan Woolrych, for his patience and time in support and guiding me through the dissertation process. I would like also to thank Liurongming for his support which ensured the study was able to take place. Also, I would like to reserve a special thanks to my friends, Tingting, Weihong, for their support and efforts along the way. Finally, I would like to extend my appreciation to all the residents that offered up their time, knowledge and opinions to contribute to my research.
Thank you.
I
Glossary of Abbreviations
VIC
Village in City
NRA
New Resettlement Area
XWJY NRA MCG
Xin Wu Jia Yuan New New Resettlement Area Municipality Central Government
V
Table of contents
Abstract ...........................................................................................................................I Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................... III Glossary of Abbreviations ...........................................................................................IV Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Rationale and Problem Statement .................................................................... 1 1.2 Aims and Objectives ........................................................................................ 3 1.3 Methodology .................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Chapter outline ................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Relation to RTPI Specialism............................................................................ 5 Chapter 2. Literature Review ......................................................................................... 7 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Background to urban redevelopment in China ................................................ 7 2.3 The Village in City (VIC) .............................................................................. 10 Figure 3.1: images of VIC in Guangzhou, China ........................................ 10 2.4 Urban resettlement approaches to VIC in China ........................................... 13 2.4.1 Policy context for resettlement ........................................................... 13 2.4.2 The resettlement approach in VIC ...................................................... 15 2.5 The Concept of Well-being ............................................................................ 19 2.5.1 Concept of well-being ......................................................................... 19
2.5.2 Community well-being ....................................................................... 19 2.5.3 Environmental well-being................................................................... 20 2.5.4 Social well-being ................................................................................ 21 2.5.5 Economic well-being .......................................................................... 21 2.6 Well-being and Urban Regeneration ............................................................. 22 2.7 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 3: Research Methodology............................................................................... 24 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 24 3.2 Desk-based Research ..................................................................................... 24 Figure 3.1: logical plan and structure for the literature review.................... 26 3.3 Case Study Approach..................................................................................... 26 3.4 Site Visits ....................................................................................................... 27 3.5 Qualitative Methods ....................................................................................... 28 3.6 Interviews....................................................................................................... 29 3.7 Recruitment and Sample ................................................................................ 30 Figure 3.3: Description of participants ........................................................ 32 3. 8 Recording and Analysis ................................................................................ 32 3. 9 Limitations .................................................................................................... 33 3.10 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 4: Case study: Xin Wu Jia Yuan New Resettlement Area (XWJY NRA) ..... 34 4.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 34 4.2 Redevelopment in XWJY NRA resettlement area......................................... 35
I
Figure 4.1 the location of Chongqing in China............................................ 35 Figure 4.2: the location of BaNan district.................................................... 36 Figure 4.3 the location of XWJY NRA ....................................................... 36 Figure 4.5: the location of Xin Wu village .................................................. 39 4.3 The background of Chongqing city and XWJY NRAs ................................. 39 4.3.1 Background of Chongqing .................................................................. 39 Figure 4.6: the comma-shaped Yuzhong peninsula at junction of Yangzi and Jialing rivers, Chongqing. ............................................................................ 41 4.3.2 The background of XWJY NRAs ....................................................... 41 4.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 5 Results ......................................................................................................... 46 5.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 46 5.2 Familiarity, Social cohesion and Community well-being.............................. 47 Figure 5.1: Images of Local residents engaging together ............................ 47 Figure 5.2 Image of students socialising in XWJY NRA ............................ 49 Figure 5.3 Image of Local residents playing poker together ....................... 51 5.3 Living conditions, Everyday activities and Environmental well-being ......... 53 Figure 5.5: Image of housing with security windows .................................. 56 Figure 5.6 Image of street in local area........................................................ 57 Figure 5.7 Image of street in local area........................................................ 59 5.4 Crime, Safety and Social well-being ............................................................. 60 Figure 5.8 Image of Guard office and Gate ................................................. 60
I
5.5 Work, Economic security and Economic Well-being.................................... 62 Figure 5.9 Image of cleaner are doing his work .......................................... 64 5.6 Amenities, Accessibility, Place attachment and Well-being ......................... 66 Figure 5.10 Image of open spaces with leisure infrastructure ..................... 66 Figure 5.11 Image of bus service and local shops ....................................... 69 5.7 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 72 Chapter 6. Conclusion and Recommendations ............................................................ 73 Figure 6.1 The model of residents well-being in XWJY NRAs. ................. 77 Further Research .................................................................................................. 82 References .................................................................................................................... 83 Appendix: Interview agenda – Resettled residents ...................................................... 97
I
