China’s urbanization at a turning point

China has undergone 45-years of rapid urbanization, lifting its urbanization ration from under 20% to 67%, turning approx. 700 million of its people into urban residents while creating some of the most awe-inspiring, futuristic cities in the world. 

Can this continue, against the back drop of two converging peak trends--shrinking population and bursting construction boom? 

In this Expert Voice article coauthored with Prof. Peijun Shi at Beijing Normal University, which came out from Science last week, we examine what has been achieved with China's National New-Type Urbanization Plan over the last 10 years, what are the promises and perils, what are remaining and emerging challenges, and what lessons can be drawn from China's experience of policy driven urbanization.

Link to article

Xuemei Bai,Peijun Shi, China’s urbanization at a turning point—challenges and opportunities.Science388,eadw3443(2025).DOI:10.1126/science.adw3443