The military–urban nexus in the Chinese context: The case of Lvshun, Dalian

In the context of intensifying arms competition among major powers worldwide, this research examines how militarisation encroaches on urban development and governance. It also analyses the political, institutional, social, economic and spatial dynamics of militarised cities. Such analysis sheds light on the mechanisms and outcomes of militarisation and deepens our understanding of the military–urban nexus – namely, the evolving interactions between the process of militarisation, the economy, society and space within neoliberal urban development. China presents a distinctive case for advancing research on militarisation in cities and the military–urban nexus. This research focuses on Lvshun in the city of Dalian, a historically contested battleground and a key military hub today. It aims to uncover how militarisation has fundamentally shaped Lvshun’s socioeconomic evolution, critically influencing its economic and industrial development as well as the production of space. By tracing how militarisation changes over time and examining how local governments respond across different periods, the research identifies a place-specific military–urban nexus. The research primarily addresses three critical aspects: (1) the military in Lvshun: its roles, interventions and interaction with local authorities; (2) economic and industrial development and production of space in Lvshun: the impacts of militarisation; and (3) the exploratory utilisation of military properties in Lvshun: adaptive development strategies under militarisation. Through the Lvshun case, the research highlights the dynamic, multi-scalar character of the military–urban nexus in China within a peaceful, non-conflict setting, extending beyond traditional Euro-American frameworks while capturing the core dimensions of militarisation in an urban area in the Global South.