ABSTRACT
According to the 2010 population census data, the population of China has reached 1.37 billion, among which the urban population accounts for 660 million, taking up 49.68 per cent. Chinese urban villages are formed through rapid urbanization, dual management institutions, dual land ownership institutions, and the inflow of migrants during the process of urban restructuring. This chapter explores the development and redevelopment of urban villages through investigation in Shanghai, which is the largest Chinese city. The rapid economic growth and restructuring have increased social and living space differentiation in Chinese cities, especially in several international metropolises such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Urban villages are an important part of Chinese urbanization, and they play a vital role in two ways: on the one hand they provide house owners with a stable income, and on the other hand they offer tenants cheap housing.
