Hypothesis of densification for a sustainable urbanization in a wealthy Chinese city

Abstract

Abstract The Central Government of China is promoting both urbanization and urban sustainability beyond mere growth. These two goals clash if the agricultural land consumption for urbanization is drastically reduced. A re-consideration of urban density and compactness, supported by the UN-Habitat’s Urban Agenda III can contribute to address the problem. What existing developments can be densified and how? The research has considered some hypothesis of densification in the city of Suzhou, a wealthy area in the Special Economic Zone of Yangtze River Delta. The research has targeted the compounds where farmers were relocated when the land was massively urbanized since the ‘90s, because they are low density, have a strong obsolescence and do not match anymore the living standards achievable in this part of contemporary China. The research has drafted some options of densification.