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This original book explores the nature and extent of global aging in contemporary society. It examines the impact of populational aging on different continents in the world. The book then moves its attention to exploring aging in China. In particular, it reviews the implications of urbanization for Chinese older people. It draws from social theory to illuminate a perceptual framework to examine rapid social change

Cover -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- Summary -- Introductory Remarks -- Outline of Presentations -- Public-Private Partnerships and Urbanization -- Public-Private Partnerships in the People's Republic of China -- The Urbanization Challenge -- The Case of Harbin -- Innovation in Public-Private Partnership Projects -- China Gas and Natural Gas Distribution -- The Beijing Metro -- Metro Public-Private Partnerships in Hong Kong, China -- Social Sector Public-Private Partnerships in the United Kingdom -- Education Public-Private Partnerships -- Social Housing in the People's Republic of China

As in most other countries, the definition of urban areas in China is fairly complex. Since taking power in 1949 the Chinese government has defined and redefined the definition of "city" three times: in November 1955, in December 1963 and in October 1984. The article explores the structure of China's urbanization, and changes over time in the level of urbanization. (DÜI-Sen)

Urban areas in mainland China are divided into shih (cities) and chen (towns). As the two units share in many features in common and differ mainly in size alone, they are equally important to any study of urbanization. In this article, the author traces the development of shih and chen and attempts to estimate their degree of urbanization. (DÜI-Sen)

China's management of urbanization is an under-appreciated factor in the regime's longevity. The Chinese Communist Party fears ""Latin Americanization"" -- the emergence of highly unequal megacities with their attendant slums and social unrest. Such cities threaten the survival of nondemocratic regimes. To combat the threat, many regimes, including China's, favor cities in policymaking. Cities and Stability shows this ""urban bias"" to be a Faustian Bargain: cities may be stabilized for a time, but the massive in-migration from the countryside that results can generate the conditions for polit

Western China has played a critical supporting role for economic development in China over previous decades, by providing cheap labor and abundant natural resources, but it is time to reap some returns. Research shows a strong correlation between urbanization and economic growth and between urbanization level and per-capita income. Therefore, urbanization and associated changes can become a powerful driving force for socioeconomic development, and can provide an opportunity for poverty alleviation and human development. Also, it has the potential to relieve eco-environment pressures of population in Western China. For sustainable urbanization in Western China, there is still a long way to go, and there are both challenges and opportunities. Related to but rapidly increasing urbanization, Western China has the following characteristics: an overall low but rapidly increasing urbanization level, with a strong spatial variety; few urbanized areas, with small size and low density; a relatively weak growth engine function of cities; and few cities have fully fledged urban function and enough attraction to retain high-end human capital. However, Western China also has unique opportunities in terms of promoting urbanization. First, the central government's determination to have the region develop can be the "wind under the wings" for the region. Second, the relatively low current level of urbanization means there is little "minus" or historical legacy and the associated necessity to retrofit, which can be costly. Third, as urban air and water pollution in eastern cities is drawing increasing concern, relatively clean air and water in some secondary cities in the western region can be attractive to the well-educated "human capital." Sustainable urbanization in Western China is a highly complex issue that requires sophisticated management approaches. Despite significant investments and changes already undertaken, severe impacts on the natural environment are already being experienced and some environmental services are at or near a point of severe ecological and health-related disruption. Nonetheless, there are also significant opportunities in this region of enormous natural resource wealth and cultural diversity. What is required is a well-articulated, integrated, consistent and strategic framework and approach involving all levels of government.

Western China has played a critical supporting role for economic development in China over previous decades, by providing cheap labor and abundant natural resources, but it is time to reap some returns. Research shows a strong correlation between urbanization and economic growth and between urbanization level and per-capita income. Therefore, urbanization and associated changes can become a powerful driving force for socioeconomic development, and can provide an opportunity for poverty alleviation and human development. Also, it has the potential to relieve eco-environment pressures of population in Western China. For sustainable urbanization in Western China, there is still a long way to go, and there are both challenges and opportunities. Related to but rapidly increasing urbanization, Western China has the following characteristics: an overall low but rapidly increasing urbanization level, with a strong spatial variety; few urbanized areas, with small size and low density; a relatively weak growth engine function of cities; and few cities have fully fledged urban function and enough attraction to retain high-end human capital. However, Western China also has unique opportunities in terms of promoting urbanization. First, the central government's determination to have the region develop can be the "wind under the wings" for the region. Second, the relatively low current level of urbanization means there is little "minus" or historical legacy and the associated necessity to retrofit, which can be costly. Third, as urban air and water pollution in eastern cities is drawing increasing concern, relatively clean air and water in some secondary cities in the western region can be attractive to the well-educated "human capital." Sustainable urbanization in Western China is a highly complex issue that requires sophisticated management approaches. Despite significant investments and changes already undertaken, severe impacts on the natural environment are already being experienced and some environmental services are at or near a point of severe ecological and health-related disruption. Nonetheless, there are also significant opportunities in this region of enormous natural resource wealth and cultural diversity. What is required is a well-articulated, integrated, consistent and strategic framework and approach involving all levels of government.