China's Phantom Urbanization and the Pathology of Ghost Cities

Journal of Contemporary Asia, Forthcoming

38 Pages Posted: 31 Jan 2015

See all articles by Christian Sorace

Christian Sorace

University of Texas at Austin

William Hurst

Northwestern University - Department of Political Science

Date Written: January 29, 2015

Abstract

Many have remarked upon China's tendency to develop gargantuan, yet nearly empty, "ghost cities" since the turn of the millennium. Yet almost no previous scholarship examines the specific reasons why or processes through which this phenomenon has come to be. Following a thorough and critical analysis of key aspects of China's political economy that create the perverse incentives behind the excesses of its real estate boom and the growth of ghost cities, we examine two empirical case studies in detail: Kangbashi (in Ordos, Inner Mongolia) and New Beichuan (in an area of Sichuan Province devastated by a massive earthquake in 2008). We are thus able to offer both broad insights into the roots of China's phantom urbanization and a careful tracing of the specific development and effects of the pathology of ghost cities for the first time.

Keywords: China, Urbanization, Politics, Ghost Cities, Economy

Suggested Citation

Sorace, Christian and Hurst, William, China's Phantom Urbanization and the Pathology of Ghost Cities (January 29, 2015). Journal of Contemporary Asia, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2557626

Christian Sorace (Contact Author)

University of Texas at Austin ( email )

2317 Speedway
Austin, TX Texas 78712
United States

William Hurst

Northwestern University - Department of Political Science ( email )

601 University Place (Scott Hall)
Evanston, IL 60201
United States

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