Research Planning On The 'developing Chengzhongcun' In Pearl River Delta Area

Much of the literature and theory in the so-called chengzhongcun (literately'villages encircled by the city') have concentrated mainly on the'developed chengzhongcun'which is totally surrounded by city districts. There is, however, a dearth of literature focused on the'developing chengzhongcun', which is situated at the margin of the city built area but involved in the urban planning zone. Without planning control, as we know, such kind of'developing chengzhongcun'would finally evolve naturally into the tough status of'developed chengzhongcun', a highly cost as well as time-consuming problem. The research conducted here introduces a kind of'research planning'method exploring ways to intervene the process heading for intensified social disorder and deterioration of the urban-rural environment.Based on a review of relative theory of'chengzhongcun'as well as'urban-rural fringe', Chapter 2 summarizes three aspects of existing research on'chengzhongcun', what is it? why does it happen? and how can we do about this? These aspects refer to three points, the conception, rationale and strategies for'chengzhongcun'reconstruction. Besides the systematic research done in'chengzhongcun', scholars from other disciplines such as sociology and human geography put great emphasis on'urban-rural fringe', including the definition and rationale. Compared to the former two disciplines, this paper aims at active intervention on the village from planning perspective.There exist several main issues in the'developing chengzhongcun', the low economic level and subsequent inadequate social security, the unsuitable and inefficient land use, the illegal building property, poor housing construction, severe infrastructure deficiencies, poor environment quality and gradual loss of cultural characteristics and historic heritage. This paper believes the urban-rural dual system as the key reason for the problems of'developing chengzhongcun'. The second reason is the uncertainty and instability of the'urban-rural fringe'area. The third one related to the administrative system is the failure in coordination and clarification duties of different levels of the government.Xiashan Village, a typical'developing chengzhongcun'case introduced, is located in the suburban area of Zhuhai. This research seeks to explore ways to transfer the village into a well-developed urban area, a residential area specifically. To achieve this goal, we try to figure out a sustainable path in the economic development, land consolidation and land use, infrastructural system, ecological balance, and the steps of the reconstruction process. Be aware that the vacant land is the key advantage for the'developing chengzhongcun', we suggest measures be taken to control constructions on the vacant land and protect it as the initiating developmental zone.