DEVELOPMENT OF TOWNS IN CHINA - A CASE-STUDY OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE

The patterns of China's urban growth and urbanization have been shaped primarily by the growth of the large and medium-sized cities. In the post-Mao era, however, increasing diversification and commercialization of the rural economy, reduced government controls, and relaxed restrictions on rural-urban migration have greatly stimulated the growth of towns in China. This case study of the towns of Guangdong Province reveals that both the number of towns and their population have increased rapidly since the reforms. The development of town enterprises has attracted numerous rural migrants, particularly as permanent migration to the cities is still restricted. To seek employment in industry and trade was cited by most migrants as the chief reason for migration to towns. The state has not played an active role in the growth of towns in China. For the first time in the history of the People's Republic, the towns are experiencing genuine growth with development. If current trends continue, the growth of towns may well lead to the formation of a second track of urbanization, namely ''urbanization from below.''