The Application of Harvey’s Theories into China’s Urbanization of Capital

Abstract: China's rapid urbanization since the reform and opening up in 1978 has drawn international attention. Scholars like David Harvey has written a lot regarding the capitalized urbanizaiton in China. After studying Harvey’s books, articles and other related works, I found that it is reasonable to apply them into Chinese spatial context since they provide well-founded reference and enlightenment to study China's urban construction and development. My research questions are how and to what degree can Harvey’s urban theories be applied into the urbanization process in China under the condition of the socialist market economy? And to what extent does this Chinese-style urbanization deviate from the western model? Based on the spatial production, the three circuits theory and other capital urbanization theories, this thesis sorts out the historical urban development path in China and analyzes the policy changes of the Chinese central government as to land and housing policies since 1978. I also come to get some discrepencies in terms of government roles, capital source, motivation, land finance, the circulation path and the form of urbanization, and in which most of the problems lie in land finance. Although I found out that to some degree the spatial development seems identical to what Harvey has depicted, we still need to look at the Chinese case more carefully with deep thoughts about China’s unique historical background, special political economy, and other contextualized conditions.