ABSTRACT
The open-door policy and economic reform in 1978 has profound influences on the urban development and internal spatial structure of Chinese cities. Social and economic development are often considered to be the main factors affecting the internal structure of cities (Bourne 1982; Knox and Pinch 2000). However, it is found that the form of urban development of a city is also greatly influenced by its land development process which in turn is influenced by its socioeconomic and political structures (Healey and Barrett 1990; Healey 1991). This is especially true in China because of the transitional economy with the coexistence and co-functioning of leased land that operates according to market principle and administratively allocated land that is given to state enterprises and agencies free of charge.
