THEORETICAL REFLECTION ON THE PRACTICE OF URBAN COMMUNITY CONSTRUCTION

China’s rapid urbanization since the 1990s has fundamentally reshaped grassroots social structures, prompting state-led community construction initiatives. Unlike Western concepts of organic social cohesion,Chinese urban communities are externally shaped entities, particularly following the policy reforms post-2000. This paper examines how these forces have redefined community roles amid social integration challenges following the decline of the danwei (work-unit) system. By analyzing conceptual shifts, it provides theoretical insights into governance practices and proposes a balance between state guidance and social autonomy. The study highlights the tension between administrative efficiency and grassroots vitality, offering pathways for sustainable community development in China’s urban landscape.