This book analyzes the recent growth of Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Hong Kong, seven major Chinese coastal cities. The authors detail theoretical mechanisms, spatial and non-spatial models of development, all while exploring possible directions to sustainability. They also look at how these cities have developed over the last 30 years, from the late 1970s to the 21st century. Each has its own unique background, regional and national positions, advantages, and functions. Using diversified approaches and measurements for each city, the authors argue that structural changes are necessary to achieve much needed sustainable development. The book covers developmental issues such as the regaining of central city and global city statuses, the role of governments in steering development, and achieving goals through mega projects, urban competitiveness, positioning, and branding. Including varied assessment and intense suggestions for structural changes, this book addresses core concerns for the sustainable growth of these metropolises. A valuable book for students, researchers and policy makers.

The series Chinese Diaspora and Southeast Asian Coastal Cities adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the materiality of culture from architectural, geographical, sociological, anthropological, cultural, political and other perspectives. Through the knowledge obtained from the tangible living environment, the series aims to increase recognition and promotion of the value of integration of Southeast Asian cultural diversity. The first set of monographs in the series focuses on Indonesia (coastal cities of Semarang, Palembang, Pontianak, Tegal) and will be published in 2005. Subsequent sets of monographs, to be published in 2006 and beyond, will focus on coastal cities of Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar and Singapore. The Singapore Chinese Heritage Centre is a non-profit international institution with a special focus on the history and culture of the Chinese Diaspora. The keynote of a monograph series by the Singapore Chinese Heritage Centre, Th