Sustainable Urbanization in Western China

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.