CHINESE CITIES

Sciences Po - Master Governing Large Metropolis

OGLM 3050 - 59127 / S2 2024-2025

According to the UN, about 950 million people live in China’s urban areas today. The urbanization rate went from 14% in 1955 to a planned 86% by 2050. How were these cities planned and how are they managed ? How do these people live ? What is the relevance of these cities globally ?

The Chinese Cities course will provide an overview of the main drivers and consequences of urbanization in China during the last decades. To approach such a complex phenomenon, we will split our time and attention between 1) the study of spatial, socio-economic and political features of Chinese cities and 2) a more cultural and sensible approach to the experience of urbanity there.

The reality of urban China is very diversified, firstly from the variety of geographic locations but also from the vast arrays of historical and socio-economic background of the places and their inhabitants. Apart from scientific literature, we will try to do justice to this richness and variety by tapping into popular culture, art, cinema and literature. We will also delve into the many creative “labs”, methodological and fieldwork experiments from fields like media, design and architecture that were imagined to explore Chinese urbanity.

More importantly, we will endeavor to consider how cities in China exist as part of larger regional, national and international networks and the relevance of the urbanization of China to other regions of the world.

Course Format

Tuesday 8am - 10am

The course will be organized as follow:

20min : warm up

feedback about last course learnings
introduction of the thematic of the week (one Chinese character each week)

45 min: theory / teachings

We usually start the course by focusing on the readings and documents of the week. I present their content and discuss some of the main learnings. We then look into the topic at hand through a presentation / discussion convoking various media (maps, data, pictures, images, etc).

45 min: case study / workshop

We dive into one or several specific case studies that exemplifies the topic of the week. During the last sessions, this time will be allocated to prepare for the final assignement project.

NB: Getting acquainted with the readings ahead of the course is not mandatory but will help you get the most out of the conversations.

Assessments

Assignment: Made in China
30% (individual)
Due week 6

Describe the territorial networks of an existing object that is “Made in China”, from the specific area of its production / assembly in China to the path of exports - and possibly recycling. You can go into as many details as you want. Your objective is to provide a comprehensive picture that includes a description of the object, where it was produced in China and how it circulated.

Deliverable
A 1,500–2,000-word report with 3-5 visuals (e.g., maps, diagrams, or illustrations) presenting the object and its spatial / territorial trajectory within and outside China.

Final project: thematic report
60% (groups of 2-3)
Due week 12 (final course)

Following the learnings of the course, you will pick a topic or policy issue that you deem particularly interesting about Chinese cities. You will work as a group of 2 or 3 to explore the issue, focusing especially on one or two case studies - particular cities or urban areas that you think are representative of the issue.

Deliverable

Your goal is to 1) write an essay of ~3000 words that presents your findings and 2) communicate them during an oral presentation in week 12. You are expected to gather information by engaging with some of the relevant academic literature, and critically assess the implications of the issue. The use of maps, figures, drawings, tables, graphics and media (sound, video, etc) is highly encouraged.

Active participation in class discussions
10% (individual grade)

The teacher

M. Clément Renaud
email: clement.renaud@sciencespo.fr

Clément Renaud is a geographer and engineer specialized in the study of urban and technological change. His work delves into China’s recent industrial and digital transformation, and the relevance of the Made in China phenomenon globally. His research previously dealt with informal “maker” spaces and urban innovation policies in China and now focuses on the history of Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta region. He holds a PhD from ParisTech Telecom and is an associate researcher at the School of Creative Media at the City University of Hong Kong. Renaud also works as a technology consultant for various companies, non-profits, governments and cultural institutions worldwide.

Read the courses content