Urbanizing and re-locating the rural communities in Tianjin : how effective and equitable?

Abstract

In China, in the midst of rapid urban expansion, research has been focused on the urban sector. The rural sector is by no means less significant, yet it is left largely unexplored. Losing the land rights for urban expansion, the rural communities suffered from the deterioration of socio-economic conditions. The central government announced a rural resettlement policy in 2005 to pursue an urban-rural balanced urbanization mode. After experimenting with this plan on a large scale for one decade, its effectiveness has not been explored comprehensively. Current studies on urbanization and rural land development in China focused on the central and provincial governments, seldom paying attention to the lower level. This research analyzed and compared the outcomes and equity implications of the rural resettlement policy under different governing modes in Tianjin, where the policy has been conducted on a large scale over a ten-year period.

Case studies of seven rural resettlement projects in Tianjin were conducted, mainly using qualitative methods. Different governance modes in the implementation process were explored and categorized according to the network governance concept. Based on the data from a questionnaire survey, interviews and field observation, the outcomes and equity implications of this policy were assessed and evaluated. Working definitions of governance and urban-rural equity were also developed.

This study revealed that the underlying objective of the rural resettlement policy was to transfer the rural land ownership from collective-owned to state-owned, though the overt objective is to improve the livelihood of the rural people. Furthermore, the rural communities were differentiated in accordance with their economic conditions. The district and town governments were given autonomy to deal with such complex situations. The competency and the expectations of the stakeholders in the process of project implementation were found to be essential in the formation of the three governance modes.

In terms of policy performance, the effectiveness of the re-drawing of land rights was greatly influenced by local economic conditions; the fact that distribution of the compensation was more determined by the governance modes; and that, without considering the characteristics of the rural people, the development of the living environment could not be recognized as efficient. Furthermore, the objective of reshaping the rural people’s economic activities was frustrated by insufficient professional training for the resettled rural laborers.

In terms of the policy implications on urban-rural equity, the wellbeing of resettled households, though improved in the aspect of public facility provision, social welfare provision for them was still considered deficient. Furthermore, the rural people’s perceptions of improvement in their lives were found closely related to their general satisfaction with the policy.

Therefore, the implementation of the rural resettlement policy in Tianjin has contributed to the clarification of the rural land rights system and improvement of the living standards of rural residents to some extent. However, its efforts were impaired when it failed to consider fully the local conditions and the requirements of the rural communities. Thus, further clarification of the policy objectives and the implementation process open to public consultation are considered essential factors for further improvement.