SHENZHEN, china
michael den hartog
christian gomez
Shenzhen is located in the Pearl River Delta, bordering Hong Kong to the south, Huizhou to the north and northeast and Dongguan to the north and northwest. The municipality covers an area of 2,050 square kilometers (792 sq mi) including urban and rural areas, with a total population of 14 million in 2008. The city was originally a hilly area, with fertile agrarian land. However, after becoming a special economic zone in 1979, Shenzhen underwent tremendous change in landscape. The once hilly fishing village is now replaced by mostly flat ground in city center area, with only Lianhua Shan (Lotus Hill), Bijia Shan (Bijia Mountain) and Wutong Shan the only three places that have some kind of elevation as viewed from satellites. With the influx of migrants from inland China, Shenzhen is experiencing a second stage boom, and it is now expanding peripherally and the hills in surrounding areas such as Mission Hills are now being leveled to make land for more development.
Shenzhen, a major city in Southern China's Guangdong Province, is best known as China's first and one of its most successful Special Economic Zones (SEZ). Though not formally established as a municipality until 1979, the region has been populated since ancient times, previously known as Bao'an County. Shenzhen's name is derived from the crisscrossing of rivers, streams and drains supporting the regions once numerous paddy fields, zhen meaning drains and shen deep, the name literally translates to "deep drains." Shenzhen was chosen to be the nation's first SEZ due to its close proximity to Hong Kong and its more capitalist economy. Shenzhen's unbelievable growth is a testament to the success of China's economic reform policies under Deng Xiaoping and served as the nation's economic window to the world for some time. Such rapid growth and economic boom though have created urban issues previously unseen, requiring a new set of tools to solve.
The physical development of the sub-provincial city is largely a result of the natural geographical features, resulting in a linear city in the dense core of the original SEZ. Development expanding out from the original SEZ works its way between the mountainous terrain, resulting in tentacles of development. Though Shenzhen's economy is strong due to its enticing economic policies, the region has a sparse amount of natural resources. Large urban voids in the greater metropolitan area are primarily located in regions with mountainous terrain.
attributes: major geographical/natural elements
Though the established elevation of Shenzhen is 42', levels fluctuate dramatically throughout the region. Mountainous terrain has left many areas untouched by the cities fast-paced urbanism, resulting in an interesting relationship between nature and city, as mountains become surrounded by buildings.
attributes: major geographical/natural elements
The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) comprised only Luohu, Futian, Nanshan, and Yantian districts until 1 July 2010, when the SEZ was expanded to include all districts, a fivefold increase over its pre-expansion size. Adjacent to Hong Kong, Luohu is the financial and trading centre of Shenzhen. Futian, at the heart of the SEZ, is the seat of the Municipal Government. West of Futian, Nanshan is the centre for high-tech industries. Formerly outside the SEZ, Bao'an and Longgang are located to the north-west and north-east, respectively, of central Shenzhen. Yantian is the location of Yantian Port, the second busiest container terminal in mainland China and the fourth busiest in the world.
attributes: districts
Shenzhen's growth rates are truly unbelievable and defied even the most optimistic projections when the SEZ was established. Physical growth quickly saturated the original SEZ zone along the Hong Kong Border, and as can be seen by the 1990 map, development quickly began to expand linearly through the natural topography and along new infrastructure. The huge influx of migrant workers necessitated the development of residential towns linked to the core.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
It is important to realize that Shenzhen was not completely undeveloped at the time the SEZ. Already having a population nearing 300,000 inhabitants the area was composed of scattered villages as well as attracting numerous immigrates trying to illegally cross into Hong Kong.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
After the explosive physical and economical development of the 80s the city sought to rationalize development and achieve proper planning, in hopes of transforming Shenzhen into a model world city, with the enticements of a prosperous economy, stable/safe society, comprehensive infrastructural provisions, an amiable environment and rational spatial planning.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
Moving into the 2000s the city was faced with four main difficulties, as well as increasing competition from other now developed SEZs in other parts of the nation. 1 limited land 2 shortage of energy and water 3 demographic pressures 4 environmental contamination.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
With the majority of easily developed land constructed upon, the city is looking at ways to re-plan and redevelop areas especially those outside the original SEZ. Additionally on July 1, 2010 the remainder of the sub-provincial city was deemed an SEZ stimulating the need for new redevelopment in many regions.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
The small fishing village of Shenzhen was singled out in the 1979 to be one of the first Special Economic Zones (SEZ) under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping, the "father of modern China". Since Shenzhen is so close to the then rapidly growing Hong Kong, the SEZ was meant to be an experimental ground for development. The idea was that Shenzhen would be able to provide cheaper labor and land that could accommodate the private sector looking to expand their Hong Kong operations. This concept proved extremely successful. Through strong government planning and infrastructural development Shenzhen saw an average annual population growth around 30% for the next 3 decades. This was unequalled almost anywhere in the world. In 2007, it had a GDP of almost $100 billion dollars, ranking it fourth among all Chinese cities, and Shenzhen's GDP per capita surpassed $10,000, the first Chinese city to do so. Shenzhen is also known as one of the cleanest large Chinese cities with over 50% of streets lined with trees and large parks and green spaces available to its residents.
attributes: centers/cores, satellite towns, early settlement patterns
The first master plan of 1986 put in six "cluster cities" that concentrated growth and infrastructure along three highways. In the ten years to follow this, unprecedented growth and lack of zoning controls lead to major urban sprawl in Shenzhen. By 1996, the urban sprawl that had started only 17 years previously covered over 645 sq. kilometers of land, the same size as 11 islands of Manhattan. Shenzhen was slowly running out of land and most of the structures being built were low-density manufacturing and housing units. City planners were also concerned about livability and taking a page from more developed nations, created a new 1000 sq. kilometer growth boundary; the first of its kind in China. "Periphery growth clusters" were also implemented around the existing six "cluster cities" to encourage growth and greater density while even more infrastructure, highways and a massive subway system began construction.
attributes: centers/cores, satellite towns, early settlement patterns
By the mid 2000's when a third master plan was being drawn up; planners faced another dilemma entirely. The amount of space that could actually be used for development was dwindling, and quickly. Only about 100 sq. kilometers of legally developable land was left, and officials feared that without more space that the economic engine of Shenzhen would come to a halt. Officials were faced with a hard choice. Instead of diminishing the green growth boundary, Chinese officials designated more than 200 square kilometers of occupied land as urban regeneration areas. The idea was to clear dilapidated low-density buildings and properties to build newer, higher density facilities. The government opted to buy back occupied land from private stakeholders and would then build new facilities themselves or give large plots back to developers. This plan was reinforced by stricter building codes that encouraged higher density industries and residential buildings. This tactic proved to be successful; Shenzhen has added almost 3 million people since the last master plan was put in place.
attributes: centers/cores, satellite towns, early settlement patterns
This unprecedented growth however did not come without its consequences. Besides the ever present problems of pollution and traffic that come with large cities; Shenzhen had a massive housing problem. Chinese "urban villages" or slums popped up illegally almost overnight on the designated growth boundaries and open spaces. Workers' conditions and quality of life for the millions of migrants were often quite appalling with little in the way of government intervention. The problems that these workers faced is beyond the scope of this post but the immense dilemma of how to deal with millions of migrants moving into a city within such a short time categorizes many of the toughest problems that these mega-cities face. Even thought there are many problems that Shenzhen still faces, it will forever be in the history books as a city that experienced an unprecedented rapid and sustained growth rate for over three decades.
attributes: centers/cores, satellite towns, early settlement patterns
The agglomerations of the Urban Villages are a prime example of Shenzhen's unsuccessful mediations with its immense influx of migrant workers, which make up nearly seventy percent of the population. Massive groups of transient laborers have been one of the largest results of China's economic reforms and open door policies yet one of its least resolved.
attributes: physical growth pattern, population growth
Shenzhen's fame and fortune were tied to China from the very outset as the first SEZ created at the beginning of China's historic turn to modernization and internationalization. In 1978, China was poised to enter a new era after emerging from the "dark decade" (1966-76) of the Cultural Revolution. The post-Mao leadership under Deng Xiaoping - who had returned to power after the Cultural Revolution introduced the four modernizations in agriculture, industry, technology, and defense. Included in this development strategy was the Joint Venture Law. Passed in 1979, this law changed China forever by allowing overseas enterprises to establish equity joint ventures with Chinese companies and directly exposing state-owned enterprises to the financial and managerial influences of foreign investors. Besides immediately unleashing major change at the organizational level, this elevated to an aggregate effect on larger institutional arrangements. This cannot be overstated, as evidenced by China's emergence as the most popular destination among developing countries for foreign direct investment (FDI).
attributes: economic output, major commerce
Although the Joint Venture Law of 1979 was immensely transformative, "the promulgation of The Regulation on Special Economic Zones" in 1980 was no less important. This initiative defined a Special Economic Zone as "an area where enterprises are treated more preferentially than in other areas in relation to such matters as the tax rate and the scope of operations in order to attract foreign capital and advanced technology for modernization" (Chen, 1994, 1995). The SEZs furthered development of well-prepared public utilities and fostered a receptive investment climate. They offered preferential treatment to foreign firms seeking advantage in land use, rent agreements, and tax holidays. SEZs were designed to help major exporters of manufactured goods enjoy the benefits of doing business on the global market. The concept and intended practices of SEZs were not entirely new in 1980, as they bore a resemblance to the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) that Taiwan, South Korea and other countries had been using since the 1960s to drive their export-oriented industrialization efforts (Chen, 1994, 1995; Sit, 1988). However, SEZs were a brand-new concept for China - a bold stroke given the entrenchment of socialism in the political economy that lingered into 1980.
attributes: economic output, major commerce
As the first SEZ, Shenzhen was the very first locale in China to be cordoned off to experiment with economic reform and market activities, a sort of testing ground for capitalist practices. Thus began China's gradual move from centralized planning and isolationist policy to a more market-friendly political economy. It was a bold strategy tempered by cautious tactical steps. Although an unprecedented move to introduce market practice and foreign investment to postreform China, it was implemented with the state's unfettered ability to control the experiment in a confined environment and restrict any negative effects. This coupling of audacity and caution made it possible to replicate success and reduce risks from the very outset of China's reform, when major success was far from certain and the risks of failure were perceived as high.
attributes: economic output, major commerce
The Shenzhen rail system is continually being expanded. Already connected to many of the cities larger neighbors, through national rail systems, the city has set forth to dramatically increase the number of large transportation hubs. While currently only the Futian hub is fully operational there are five additional ones in development.
attributes: rail
The major expressways help tie together the far-reaching ends of the larger Shenzhen region. With increasing amount of privately owned vehicles, roads are becoming ever more important to the successful functioning of the city.
attributes: mobility infrastructure
The city is a prime location for port infrastructure, with over 160 miles of coastline, and access to important trade routes in the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea. Consequently the port has developed into two main regions in the East and West. Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport located in Bao'an District is currently one of the three largest hubs of southern China and is undergoing a major expansion.
attributes: ports/airports
The original special economic zone comprised of the four districts Futian, Luohu, Nanshan and Yantian is by far the cities most developed region. The SEZ functioned as a window for China to observe global trends in economic, scientific, technological, managerial and market developments. As well as an "experimenting ground" for reforms through special economic management systems and flexible economic measures for enhancing economic cooperation and technological interflow between China and foreign nations. The city developed linearly expanding in two directions from its initial center. There are a series of nodes, the largest being located in the Central Business District and are linked by rail and automobile infrastructure.
attributes: centers/cores, major voids
The original SEZ is the sub-provincial citiy's core and major hub of living and tourist attractions. Though historic may be the incorrect word, the area most emulates a social and enticing city, being the face of Shenzhen, it exemplifies the need to make the city desirable in both economic regulations but also esthetics.
attributes: centers/cores, city grids,historic