From planned to market economy: The rise and fall of the City of Textiles, Xi’an

Abstract

Urban change in north-western China, an important region in economic history terms, has received relatively scant attention in the existing literature. To help fill this gap, this article examines the evolution of a state-owned industrial area called the City of Textiles, in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, from its establishment and rise during the planned economy to its decline, deterioration, and redevelopment in the new market economy. The article focuses particularly on the roles played by the state and other factors relevant in the transformation, as well as exploring the experiences of local residents and businesses.