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Public participation in China: sustainable urbanization and governance

Bert Enserink (Faculty of Technology Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands)
Joop Koppenjan (Faculty of Technology Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 19 June 2007

8005

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to focus on the governance aspects of China's environmental policy making and the conditions for meaningful public participation in sustainable urbanization policy making. China is facing a big urbanization challenge. Rapid economic growth and inefficient use of natural resources lead to excessive pollution and rapid depletion of China's natural resources. Water scarcity, especially in the north‐eastern part of the country, already is a big problem. The Chinese government has formulated policies and legislation to protect the environment and to produce a more sustainable growth, but implementation is lagging. Moreover, rapid modernization of Chinese society also led to first experiments with the organization of public hearings on environmental issues. Design/methodology/approach – Literature is presented on governance and public participation in environmental policy making supplemented with material from case study research and expert meetings in China. Findings – The findings show the interrelatedness of environmental governance and public participation, which leads to policy recommendations for public participation in sustainable urbanization processes. Originality/value – This paper highlights the potential environmental gains through public participation in sustainable urbanization strategy policy in China.

Keywords

Citation

Enserink, B. and Koppenjan, J. (2007), "Public participation in China: sustainable urbanization and governance", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 459-474. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830710753848

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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