Measuring the Development Patterns of Urban Villages in Shenzhen

Abstract

Urban villages are widespread in many Chinese cities, providing affordable and accessible housing for rural migrants. These urban villages are developed by the indigenous village population base on a self-help approach and in an unauthorized style. Consequently, urban villages are characterized by rapid physical development. This paper uses GIS applications and Municipal building surveys as instruments to examine the development patterns of urban villages in Shenzhen, one of the most dynamic cities in China. Analyses reveal significant variation in development patterns and trends across urban villages, which can provide informative support for policy making associated with urban village (re)development.