Rapid Urbanization Urban Form: A Theoretical Study of Chinese Megablock Urbanism

As the most extensive urbanization in human history, rapid development in China has led to the proliferation of the megablock urban form, a distinctive approach to managing the spatial dynamics of growing populations and their demands. Existing theories on Chinese urbanization have not fully explained megablock development, given its exceptional context and spatial characteristics. This study investigates the theoretical underpinnings of megablock urbanism from an international perspective, including garden city, new town movement, new urbanism, suburbia, urban sprawl, compact city, and communist planning. It connects and restructures this theoretical framework in relation to Chinese contexts and conditions, aiming to assess the spatial characteristics of megablock urbanism through representative factors and variables. Using qualitative methods, the study synthesizes theoretical and historical interpretation, policy review, case studies, and factor analysis. The findings suggest that Chinese megablocks differ from existing urbanisms in both theoretical content and analytical tools, and that the megablock model requires careful consideration in relation to sustainable and inclusive urban environments.