From village to metropolis: a case of morphological transformation in Guangzhou, China

Abstract

A historical analysis is undertaken of the morphological transformation and present form of a ‘village in the city’ in Guangzhou. The traditional layout was produced mostly by the clan authorities and provided a basic framework for subsequent development. During the process of rapid urbanization formal and informal alliances between new key stakeholders were established, greatly influencing the spatial restructuring of the village. A critical evaluation of current planning practices highlights the conflicts of interest between different stakeholders. It is concluded that integration of the activities of various key stakeholders is probably necessary in order to achieve more sustainable redevelopment.