Breaking new ground or business as usual? Urban village redevelopment under China’s new normal

This special issue explores the redevelopment of urban villages in China. Drawing on top-down and bottom-up approaches, this article interrogates the work of six articles within it examining the diverse strategies employed in urban village redevelopment. The top-down approach highlights the state’s central role in managing large-scale transformations and the collaboration between government, developers, and village collectives; the bottom-up strategies reveal the potential for local actors to shape the redevelopment through grassroots initiatives. The convergence of the two approaches demonstrates how top-down and bottom-up methods can complement each other, creating inclusive and sustained transformations. Above all, we articulate the importance of integrated governance models in ensuring that urban village redevelopment enhances economic growth and promotes social equity.