Interconnecting Urban Planning with Multi-Scale Urban Quality

Abstract

The Shenzhen planning system has been effective in promoting economic growth through the prodigious urbanization of land. It has given priority to the ‘macro-level’ planning goals of economic growth through physical development. Questions can be raised about the physical and social outcomes from the development process at the ‘micro-level’, not least in the level of ‘quality’ of the physical environment at the micro scale and the creation of a ‘place identity’ (Chen, 2010; Hang, 2006; Wu, 2012). This paper examines these questions in the redevelopment of the metropolitan area, drawing a case study of the Sungang-Qingshuihe (SQ) district in Shenzhen. We have established criteria for evaluation of the planning and implementation of redevelopment, with reference to both macro-level economic goals and micro-level urban ‘spatial quality’ objectives. We explain the approach taken and the reasons, outline its strengths and weaknesses in relation to the criteria, and define the apparent limitations. The findings point to critical features of planning and development practice in Shenzhen which make a significant contribution to the creation (or destruction) of micro-level spatial quality and place identity, including the lack of an independent quality control authority and the ‘closed’ internal processes of decision-making. This paper concludes by examining the problems of transferring practice from elsewhere and challenges the priority given to national economic growth over the ‘local public interest’. It recommends strengthening the role of coordinator, to balance the needs of macroand micro-level objectives, to expose the interests of all affected parties.