Enclave urbanism in China: Consequences and interpretations

Abstract

Following reforms enacted since the late 1970s, domestic and foreign investments are resulting in a dramatic transformation of China’s landscape. The concentrated Maoist city with its cellular multifunctional work-unit structure is disappearing. In its place, cities now emerge as patchworks of mono-functional and mono-cultural enclaves, often demarcated by walls and gates. Based on experiences elsewhere, urban theorists criticize such segregated and gated developments because they threaten social integration and social justice. Focusing on residential enclaves, this introductory article considers the relevance of this criticism for urban China. It is argued that residential enclaves might indeed produce substantial negative effects. However, the materialization of these effects depends on local spatial and social realities. Thus an adequate interpretation of Chinese enclave urbanism necessitates the answering of a number of empirical questions. Among the most prominent are: Does the private provision of services in China lead to or exacerbate exclusion? Do residential enclaves limit contacts among groups? And how do various social groups perceive walls and gates in urban China?