Economic concequences of urbanization and urbanization policy in China: introduction

The Chinese government for many years followed a relatively restrictive policy towards urbanization, in part by means of policies that sought to limit rural-urban migration. Of course, such a policy of limiting urbanization came at a cost: the inability to fully capture the social and economic benefits of urban agglomeration. As a result, restrictions on urban-rural migration were gradually eased, and currently the acceleration of urbanization has become a central part of China's strategy for long-term growth. The papers introduced by Brada, Fleisher, Rozelle and Swinnen focus on agglomeration effects, the effect of industrial concentration on productivity, and social and economic consequences of rural-urban migration.

Publication year:2009