Urban Transformation and Institutional Policies: Case Study of Mega-Region Development in China’s Pearl River Delta

Abstract

Mega-region development has been identified as one of the top national agenda items in China. Aggressive institutional policies have been put in place to guide and encourage the formation and development of mega-regions. This article analyzes how this development model is being adopted in China and identifies the factors that contribute to such institutional arrangements, using the transformation in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) mega-region as an example. This article argues that mega-region development in China is an institutional response to global and regional economic transformation and significantly affects the regional development outlook. It uses a strong top-down characteristic to enforce the senior government’s political and economic objectives. Findings are drawn from reviewing government policies, analyzing socioeconomic data, and discussing intrinsic issues before recommendations are proposed.