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Urban Micro-Renewal in Chinese Cities: A Geographical Perspective on Spatial Transformation, Community Participation, and Sustainable Development

Guiqing Liu
Vol.1, No.5, pp.33-45, 2026 DOI: 10.62051/ajmse.v1n5.04 August 21, 2026
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Abstract: Urban micro-renewal has emerged as a pivotal strategy for addressing post-industrial urban transformation challenges in China, shifting the paradigm from large-scale demolition-and-reconstruction toward incremental, human-scale interventions. This paper examines urban micro-renewal from a geographical perspective, analyzing its spatial characteristics, socio-spatial dynamics, and environmental implications across Chinese cities. Drawing on theoretical frameworks from urban geography, including the production of space, gentrification theory, and sustainable urbanism, the study develops a multi-dimensional analytical framework to understand how micro-renewal reshapes urban spatial structures and social relations. Through comparative case studies of Shanghai's community gardens, Beijing's hutong preservation, and Shenzhen's urban village micro-transformations, the paper identifies distinct spatial typologies and implementation pathways. The findings reveal that while micro-renewal enhances local environmental quality and fosters community engagement, it also generates complex socio-spatial inequalities, including indirect displacement pressures and uneven access to renewal benefits. The study argues that a geographically informed approach must integrate spatial justice principles, multi-scalar governance coordination, and ecological sensitivity to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Keywords: Urban Micro-renewal, Urban Geography, Spatial Transformation, Community Participation, Sustainable Development, Chinese Cities
APA Citation: Guiqing Liu (2026). Urban Micro-Renewal in Chinese Cities: A Geographical Perspective on Spatial Transformation, Community Participation, and Sustainable Development. Academic Journal of Management Science and Engineering, 1(5), 33-45. https://doi.org/10.62051/ajmse.v1n5.04

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