Page 171 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Urban orientalism and informal urbanization

Licheng district boasts the highest population among the in Jinan, especially the proliferation of urban informal
districts, hosting 1,124,306 residents. Changqing district settlements. The influx of rural-to-urban migrants seeking
and Pingyin County have populations of 578,740 and employment has placed significant pressure on the city’s
331,712, respectively. Jiyang County and Shanghe County housing infrastructure, exacerbating the growth of
house 517,948 and 564,125 individuals, respectively, informal settlements. As Jinan’s housing system struggles
whereas Zhangqiu City comprises 1,064,210 residents. to accommodate the growing population, particularly
These figures delineate the population distribution in populous districts such as Licheng and Zhangqiu, the
across Jinan’s administrative regions, showcasing the need for targeted urban planning strategies becomes
varying densities and district sizes. Understanding these evident.
population dynamics is crucial for urban planning and District-specific data further emphasize the diverse
resource allocation to ensure equitable development and population distribution across Jinan. For example,
address the diverse needs of the city’s inhabitants.
Licheng district, with over 1.1 million residents, has the
Figure 3 depicts Jinan’s population growth trajectory highest population, whereas Pingyin County and Jiyang
and annual population change rate from 2015 to 2026. The County have relatively smaller populations. This uneven
top section reveals a steady increase in population, rising distribution requires careful resource allocation and
from around 4.5 million in 2015 to a projected 5.5 million development planning to ensure sustainable growth and
by 2026. This consistent upward trend is indicative of the address the distinct needs of each district, especially in
city’s rapid urbanization and significant internal migration, balancing the requirements of permanent residents and
particularly from rural areas. migrant populations.
The lower section shows a gradual decline in the annual Overall, understanding population statistics and the
population change rate over the same period. While the prevalence of informal settlements in Jinan is essential for
annual growth rate remained relatively stable from 2015 to urban planners and policymakers. Addressing challenges
2020, it has steadily decreased since 2021 and is projected such as housing affordability, infrastructure development,
to continue decreasing through 2026. This decline may and social inclusion requires targeted interventions in areas
reflect factors such as slowing migration rates, limited with higher informal settlements. By prioritizing these
housing and employment opportunities, or demographic areas, Jinan can work toward equitable and sustainable
shifts. urban development that benefits all residents.
These population dynamics align with the
socioeconomic challenges posed by rapid urbanization 5.1. Urban orientalism and informality
Comprehending the connection between informality
Table 1. Population statistics of Jinan, Shandong province, and urban orientalism is central to the current research.
China, in 2023 Urban informality pertains to the unregulated and
impromptu growth of infrastructure, economic activity,
District name Permanent Male Female Registered
population population and settlements occurring outside officially defined
Jinan city 6,813,984 3,423,904 3,390,080 6,064,821 norms (Roy & AlSayyad, 2004). This phenomenon can
Lixia district 754,136 386,087 368,049 543,134 manifest in various forms, such as unauthorized land use,
Shizhong district 713,581 362,397 351,184 573,930
Huaiyin district 476,811 243,771 233,040 381,594
Tianqiao district 688,415 347,853 340,562 509,211
Licheng district 1,124,306 571,050 553,256 926,493
Changqing district 578,740 294,316 284,424 560,696
Pingyin county 331,712 162,992 168,720 372,175
Jiyang county 517,948 256,802 261,146 557,984
Shanghe county 564,125 281,813 282,312 606,585
Zhangqiu city 1,064,210 526,253 538,957 1,019,306
Total 13,627,968 6,847,808 6,780,160 12,129,642
Source: The seventh census and historical population data of the
registered permanent population in Jinan, Shandong province in 2023
(2023 年山东省济南市常住户籍人口第七次人口普查和历史人口数 Figure 3. Annual change and population of Jinan, Shandong province,
据年龄金字塔结构民族组成情况‑红黑人口库 [hongheiku.com]) China. Source: Graph by the authors (created using Microtrends software)

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 6 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3517