Regulation flexibility and legitimacy building in governing intercity railways: The polymorphous role of the Chinese provincial government

Xianchun Zhang, Yi Sun, Xiaofan Luan

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study examines the polymorphous role of the Chinese provincial government in planning, financing, and constructing intercity railways in the Pearl River Delta region. Provincial governments claim absolute ownership in railway planning and land development surrounding railway stations. Informed by the state-theoretical perspective, we developed a conceptual framework that examines the city-regional governance of Chinese states with an emphasis on their capacity for regulation. Provincial governments selectively bargain with ministries and municipalities during development and they are flexible in the multi-scalar politics of railway projects. Their competence lies in their initiatives to gain knowledge of local land development. Our findings suggest that the polymorphous role of the provincial government extends beyond its usual function as a mediator in central-local relations and that its strategic nature reflects the complexity of China’s state powers and regulatory regimes. Meanwhile, local authorities pursue urban growth and central ministries aspire to exert their regulations on localities.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Urban Affairs
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - Jan 2023

Keywords

  • flexibility
  • Legitimacy
  • Pearl River Delta
  • provincial government
  • regulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Urban Studies

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