Not Business As Usual Mega-Trends And The Need For New City Building Approaches In The People’s Republic Of China

This paper assesses the urban future of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), currently home to 59% of the national population, from the perspective of mega-trends that are dramatically affecting the country. These mega-trends include: (i) urban demographic decline and aging; (ii) changes in the structure of urban economies with the shift to a more innovation and consumer-oriented economy; (iii) shifts in consumer preferences, such as the increased desire of Chinese people (particularly millennials) to live in high amenity cities and neighborhoods; (iv) climate change; (v) technological innovation related to smart cities and autonomous vehicles; and (vi) the changing rural context.