Keeping up with the zones(es): how competing local governments in China use development zones as back doors to urbanization

Development zones are largely missing from discussions on urbanization in China. This is a surprising omission given the centrality of these zones in economic and urban growth patterns. In this paper, we argue that development zones have become a back door to urbanization as local governments are locked in competition to attract new residents and sources of employment. While the long-term purpose behind most of these zones has been to facilitate industrialization, they are at the same time considered a quick and effective means of accelerating economic growth and boosting the promotion chances of leading officials. We set this in the context of horizontal struggles between local governments and vertical struggles that see central government attempting to re-direct development zones away from urbanization towards advanced high-tech industries. Our cases studies illustrate how this process occurs in divergent contexts. In the relatively disadvantaged Chizhou prefecture-level city in Anhui Province, local governments mutually compete by designating development zones and building the physical and social infrastructure to make them desirable places in which to live and work, but without significant success. Meanwhile, the flagship Suzhou Industrial Park, having fought off a nearby rival, builds for a growing population, positioning itself strategically vis-à-vis Shanghai.