Strategic approaches to sustainable urban renewal in developing countries: a case study of Shenzhen, China

Successful urban renewal requires a multifaceted strategic approach incorporating both local and regional regulations, developed through multi-sector and multi-agency partnerships. In practice, developments in China unfold as discrete projects without a broader consideration for city planning or long-term sustainability. Critically, no strategic manifesto has yet emerged to direct sustainable urban renewal (SUR) as a whole in Chinese cities. To improve understanding of existing practices and their applicability to current issues facing urban renewal programs, this study performs a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of urban renewal within Shenzhen City, China. Data identifying specific strategies are collected from a literature review, relevant urban renewal regulations, government documents, interviews with experts and focus group meetings. Findings identify six potential strategies able to uphold SUR development in Shenzhen, with further transferability to other Chinese cities.