The Sustainability Transition in China's Resource-Dependent Cities: Policy Challenges and a Research Agenda

Abstract

Sustainable development of resource-dependent cities (RDCs) is a major challenge in a number of resource-rich countries. In their early evolutionary stages these cities can experience all the pressures of rapid development. Many subsequently encounter serious difficulties as the resource base depletes leaving a weak and unbalanced local economy, a host of social issues, as well as severe environmental degradation. Although such cities have been the focus of research for almost 100 years, limited attention has been given to the developing economies like China. With rapid industrialization and urbanization and the pressure to develop indigenous energy, mineral and other resources, an increasing number of Chinese RDCs have developed over the past 50 years and many are now characterized by serious sustainability issues. The need for effective development strategies to manage change and to enhance long-term sustainability of these cities has recently attracted much more attention from Chinese policy makers as they also confront overcapacity problems in key industries. This research examines the literature concerning resource-dependent cities and regions and focuses on the contemporary situation in China. It highlights the academic significance of the sustainability transition for these cities, proposes a transition framework and sets out a research agenda for future study.