Page 167 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Urban orientalism and informal urbanization

distinctive combination of historical heritage and modern stemming from rapid population growth and regulatory
development makes it an intriguing subject for examining issues (Roy, 2005; UN-Habitat, 2003).
the interplay between urban orientalism and informal Jinan, a historically significant city with a
urbanization. The city’s development offers valuable prosperous cultural heritage, has undergone substantial
insights into the coexistence and interaction of traditional transformations in its urban landscape in recent years,
and modern features within the broader context of driven primarily by urbanization and economic growth
urbanization and governance in China. (Li & Wu, 2019). As the provincial capital and a significant

China’s urbanization has witnessed rapid and economic hub, Jinan attracts people from rural areas
unprecedented expansion, driven by robust economic seeking employment and improved living conditions (Ye,
growth, large-scale migration from rural to urban areas, 2017a). In addition, rapid urban development has given
and government-led urbanization projects (Li, 2020). This rise to migrant enclaves, marginalized urban zones, and
dynamic process has significantly altered the physical and informal settlements (Hsing, 2010).
social landscapes of Chinese cities, resulting in a diverse This study aims to examine the interplay between
array of formal and informal urban places (Li, 2020). informal urbanization and urban orientalism in Jinan,
Comparable patterns have been observed in other rapidly Shandong province, China, focusing on how these dynamics
urbanizing nations (Li, 2020). For instance, India has affect the everyday lives of residents in Jinan’s unauthorized
experienced significant informal urban growth, especially urban areas and influence external perceptions of the city
in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, due to substantial as “Oriental.” By employing a multidisciplinary approach
rural-to-urban migration and economic changes (Kundu, that integrates cultural geography, anthropology, and urban
2003). Similarly, Brazil’s iconic favelas, particularly in São studies, this research seeks to deepen our understanding
Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, emerged as a response to the of the social and spatial transformations driven by
nation’s rapid urbanization and social disparity (Perlman, urbanization in contemporary China. Specifically, this
1976). study explores how urban orientalism shapes policies,

A critical area of investigation within this context is urban practices, and perceptions related to informal urbanization
orientalism and its relationship with informal urbanization, in Chinese cities, offering insights into broader implications
particularly in cities such as Jinan, the administrative for cultural identity, spatial justice, and urban governance.
center of Shandong province in eastern China. Urban Furthermore, this research has practical implications
orientalism refers to the inclination of Western observers for urban planning and development in Jinan and other
to romanticize and idealize non-Western cities, often Chinese cities encountering similar challenges. Planners
portraying them as exotic and mysterious. Edward Said and policymakers should prioritize inclusivity and equity
introduced this concept in his seminal book Orientalism in development strategies, considering the diverse interests
in 1978 (Ludden, 2012a), describing it as the creation of and needs of all urban residents. Recognizing the intricacies
stereotypical narratives about the East, characterized by of informal urbanization and critically examining
notions of enigma, exoticism, and difference (Said, 1978a). orientalist perspectives that may inform preconceptions
These orientalist conceptions influence social dynamics, is essential to achieving these goals (Roy & Ong, 2011).
development methods, and urban planning practices The upcoming sections include a comprehensive literature
in non-Western cities, shaping how they are perceived review on urban orientalism, informal urbanization, and
globally (Roy, 2009a). the Chinese urban environment, followed by a detailed
In Jinan, informal urbanization refers to the outline of the research methodology, encompassing
spontaneous and unregulated growth of communities, the approach, data collection methods, and analytical
infrastructure, and economic activities outside established framework. Finally, empirical findings from Jinan will be
regulatory frameworks. This phenomenon intertwines with presented, with a concluding discussion on the study’s
urban orientalism, as described by Roy & AlSayyad (2004). implications and potential avenues for further research.
Despite the Chinese government’s efforts to regulate urban 2. Methodology
growth through zoning laws, land-use planning, and
property rights regimes, informal urbanization remains The methodology was designed to meticulously examine
prevalent in numerous Chinese cities, including Jinan (Wu the complex dynamics of urban expansion in Jinan. This
& Webster, 2020a). This pattern mirrors situations found study began with a comprehensive literature review on
in other major cities worldwide, such as the urban slums orientalism, urbanization, and informality, drawing from
in Nairobi, Kenya, and informal settlements in Jakarta, the works of prominent scholars such as Edward Said
Indonesia. These cities also grapple with challenges and Ananya Roy. This foundational analysis facilitated

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3517