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Problems during the Urbanization
Process in China—Discussion with
Prof. Sun Xun
By Zhang Yuan
PKU NEWS 2006—10--28
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=162048566
Peking University, Beijing, Oct. 28, 2006: In the sub forum ―Mapping Chinese
Civilization in a World Context‖ on the afternoon of 28th, Prof. Sun Xun from
Shanghai Normal University gives a 20-minute speech on ―the Construction of the
Chinese Megalopolis in a World Context‖. At the end of his speech, he mentions the
tendency of cultural assimilation in big Chinese cities, which brings about a heated
discussion among the present scholars.
In Prof. Sun‘s view, Chinese cities are growing more and more alike. When looking
at photos of Chinese cities all crowded with skyscrapers and viaducts, one can
hardly tell the difference, which is a sad thing because cities are supposed to own
their individual ―personalities‖. Along with the assimilation of cities, city life, especially
the life of the young people in cities is assimilating. Everyone is losing their own
individuality; so are the cities.
The last comment in Prof. Sun‘s speech finds echoes among the present scholars.
The Famous scholar Yuan Xingpei from Chinese Dept. of Peking Univ., raises the
question of cultural development during the process of urbanization with the concrete
example of tourism in cities. ―The aim of tourism in cities is to introduce urban
culture, to lead tourists to appreciate the city‘s beauty, but not to cater simply for
popular taste.‖ He comments. Prof. Sun agrees with him and gives the city of Suzhou
as a successful example of city tourism.
Prof. Tan Chung, emeritus professor of University of Delhi, mentions the fact that in
the US, urban areas are gradually abandoned by the rich, and old cities are deserted
for new ones. Sun agrees that this is a serious problem in the advanced stage of
urbanization, but in China, there is still a long way to go before that.
One student brings about a good question that where is the space for traditional
Chinese culture in cities. Prof. Sun admits that is an important issue because the
present process of urbanization seems to be sweeping Chinese tradition to the
corners. ―We must keep our own tradition,‖ Sun says, ―in Shanghai Normal
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