Page 177 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Urban orientalism and informal urbanization

poverty and marginalization. Despite societal stigma and of urban residents worldwide. Despite efforts to regulate
limited official support, these spaces showcase qualities of and formalize urban environments, informality persists,
perseverance, resistance, and communal solidarity (Davis, largely due to structural inequalities, inadequate
2019). Residents of informal settlements demonstrate governance, and prejudiced policies. Understanding
remarkable resourcefulness and inventiveness in navigating the enduring nature of informality is crucial for
difficult living conditions (Roy, 2011). Informal economies, devising effective strategies that address its challenges
a persistent feature of informality, encompass a diverse and harness its potential for inclusive and sustainable
array of unregulated economic activities, such as street urban development. By recognizing the resilience,
vending, home-based production, informal transportation, resourcefulness, and contributions of informal actors,
and construction. Informal laborers often face precarious policymakers, planners, and scholars can work toward
working conditions, with limited access to social security, creating equitable, resilient, and vibrant cities for all.
formal employment benefits, and legal protection (Portes
& Haller, 2005). However, the informal sector is vital in 6. Results and discussion
providing livelihoods for many, particularly when formal Spatial analysis of Jinan reveals a significant clustering
employment opportunities are scarce or inaccessible. of informal settlements on the city’s outskirts, identified

Beyond economic activities, informality extends using GIS and satellite data. These informal communities,
into informal governance systems, social networks, and commonly referred to as “urban villages,” have expanded
cultural practices that influence the daily lives of urban substantially between 2000 and 2020. This growth reflects
residents (Castells, 1983). Informal mechanisms for social the city’s rapid urbanization and the influx of migrants from
control, dispute resolution, and resource distribution often rural areas seeking improved economic opportunities. The
complement – or challenge – formal institutions, highlighting chronological progression of these settlements reveals
the complex relationship between formal and informal a distinct pattern of spontaneous urban expansion that
systems of power and authority (Ferguson, 1999). Informal parallels various stages of Jinan’s economic development.
social networks and solidarity networks play a crucial role The study examines the socio-economic conditions of
in providing mutual aid, collective action, and communal residents in these informal communities using qualitative
resilience in difficult situations (Auyero & Swistun, 2008).
methods, including interviews and focus group discussions.
The enduring presence of informality presents both Key factors driving the growth of informal urbanization
challenges and opportunities for urban development and include the pursuit of affordable housing and employment
governance. Informality exacerbates socio-economic opportunities within the informal sector. Migrant workers,
disparities, spatial segregation, and exclusionary who constitute the majority of residents, frequently
practices, undermining social unity and the long-term encounter difficulties in accessing essential services such
sustainability of urban areas. Informal settlements as healthcare, education, and sanitation. Interviews with
pose significant challenges related to infrastructure urban planners and officials reveal how orientalized
provision, environmental sustainability, and public health, notions of Jinan influence urban governance. These East-
necessitating innovative approaches to address these issues inspired perceptions often result in urban strategies that
(UN-Habitat, 2003). Portes & Schauffler (1994) assert prioritize preserving esthetics and cultural heritage over
that informal economies can negatively impact urban addressing the needs of informal settlement residents. This
governance by enabling tax evasion, labor exploitation, bias contributes to governance approaches that disregard
and regulatory avoidance. the socioeconomic realities of these communities.
On the other hand, informality serves as a source Participant observation and interviews with residents
of strength, originality, and social connections within provide valuable insights into the daily realities of
urban settings. Informal economies provide marginalized individuals living in informal settlements. The data suggest
populations with flexible employment opportunities, a notable disparity between the romanticized perception
routes for entrepreneurship, and avenues for improving of Jinan and the lived experiences of its inhabitants. This
their economic conditions, thereby diversifying income disparity perpetuates exclusion and fails to adequately
sources and alleviating poverty (Chen et al., 2017). address the socioeconomic difficulties experienced by these
Informal settlements foster social bonds, cultural identity, populations. The study highlights a crucial connection
and community solidarity, which underpin collective between urban orientalism and informal urbanization
initiatives and societal change (Perlman, 1976). in Jinan. Orientalist narratives perpetuate the negative
Ultimately, informality is an intricate and dynamic portrayal of informal areas, influencing policy decisions
phenomenon that shapes the landscapes and lifestyles that frequently overlook the developmental requirements

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3517