Page 169 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Urban orientalism and informal urbanization

3.4. Archival research Urban orientalism involves the construction of

Archival research was conducted to trace the historical stereotypical narratives and images that emphasize
development of Jinan and its portrayal as an “Oriental” exoticism and otherness. These narratives often perpetuate
city. Historical documents, including historical maps, city a dichotomy between the “modern” West and the
plans, and development reports, were reviewed to provide “traditional” East, impacting both external perceptions and
context for the city’s urban growth over time. These sources internal policies of non-Western cities. This perspective is
help elucidate the foundational aspects of Jinan’s expansion crucial for understanding how global imaginaries shape
and its initial development phases. Policy documents, local urban experiences and policies (Said, 1978b; Roy,
such as urban policies, zoning regulations, and planning 2009).
documents, were analyzed to identify the influence of 4.2. Informal urbanization
orientalism on urban governance. This analysis reveals how
orientalized perspectives have shaped planning decisions Informal urbanization refers to the unregulated and
and regulatory frameworks. In addition, media analysis spontaneous growth of urban areas outside formal
was performed to examine both local and international planning and regulatory frameworks. This phenomenon
representations of Jinan, shedding light on how the city’s is prevalent in many rapidly urbanizing regions where
orientalized image is constructed and perpetuated. This formal mechanisms fail to keep pace with population
comprehensive archival research offers insights into the growth and economic changes (Roy & AlSayyad, 2004).
intersection of historical development, policy-making, Informal settlements often arise as a response to the lack of
and media portrayals in shaping Jinan’s identity as an affordable housing and employment opportunities within
“Oriental” city. formal city structures (Wu & Webster, 2020b).

3.5. Data triangulation The study of informal urbanization encompasses
Data triangulation was used to ensure the accuracy and the spatial distribution of these settlements, their
credibility of the findings. By combining data from literature socioeconomic dynamics, and the governance challenges
review, qualitative research, and spatial analysis, the study they present. Informal urbanization is not merely a
provides a robust and comprehensive examination of peripheral phenomenon but an integral component of
the interaction between urban orientalism and informal urban systems, providing essential services and housing
urbanization in Jinan. The multidisciplinary approach, to a significant portion of the urban population (Hsing,
which incorporates qualitative research methods and 2010).
spatial analysis, enables a holistic understanding of how 4.3. Intersection of urban orientalism and informal
urban orientalism shapes the development and governance urbanization
of informal urban areas in Jinan. By integrating diverse
perspectives and data sources, the research aims to provide The intersection of urban orientalism and informal
valuable insights into the social and spatial dynamics of urbanization provides a critical framework for examining
urbanization in contemporary China, ultimately informing the complexities of urban development in Jinan. This
more inclusive and equitable urban planning practices. framework explores how external perceptions rooted
in Orientalism influence local policies toward informal
4. Theoretical framework settlements and their residents. The exoticization of

4.1. Urban orientalism Jinan as an “Oriental” city fosters both romanticized
and stigmatized views of informal areas, shaping urban
Urban orientalism, as conceptualized by Edward Said in planning and policy decisions (Roy, 2009b).
his seminal work Orientalism (1978), refers to the Western
tendency to romanticize and idealize non-Western Understanding this intersection requires analyzing
societies, depicting them as exotic, mysterious, and how global and local imaginaries interact to shape the
fundamentally different from the West. This framework lived experiences of residents in informal settlements. It
has been widely applied to understand how cultural also necessitates examining the power dynamics among
stereotypes shape perceptions and policies directed toward stakeholders, including local governments, planners, and
non-Western regions (Ludden, 2012a; Roy, 2009b). In the the communities themselves. By linking urban orientalism
context of urban studies, urban orientalism examines how with informal urbanization, this study aims to uncover the
such idealized portrayals influence the development and cultural and socioeconomic factors driving urban policies
governance of cities in the Global South. and practices in Jinan.

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3517