Community Engagement in Shanghai’s ‘Old residential redevelopment’ Project

While participatory planning in the West emphasizes civil society, this framework does not fit China, where the Party-state blurs the boundary between state and society. Rather than standing apart, the Party-state immerses itself in civil society, creating a hybrid governance realm where participation is intertwined with Party logics. A case study of Shanghai’s neighborhood redevelopment illustrates that neighborhood committees act as dual agents: they carry Party authority while mediating community interests. By translating directives downward and channeling demands upward, these committees normalize the state's presence. Ultimately, Chinese participatory practices emerge not from civic autonomy but from the Party-state’s strategic incorporation of social actors to maintain stability, representing a distinct hybrid mode of governance.

Yang Zhao is a fourth-year PhD student at Bartlett School of Planning, University College London. Her research examines the transformation of urban redevelopment in China with a focus on changing governance practices. Her work contributes to broader discussions on urban political economy and the future of just and sustainable urban change.

MCI’s PGR workshops are lunchtime seminars held in person at the Manchester China Institute. They seek to bring together students, faculty and staff who can best provide feedback as postgraduate researchers develop their ideas. Free lunch will be provided.

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Manchester China Institute, 178 Waterloo Place, Manchester, United Kingdom

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