Urbanization and Rural Land Rights Negotiations

由于目前世界上一半以上的人口生活在城市地区，城市化是一个全球现象，它一直在改变世界的自然环境和社会结构。然而，各区域的城市化情况各不相同。政府、地方社区和普通公民所扮演的不同角色是世界各地不同城市化进程的根源。虽然政府可以通过法律、政策和法规直接塑造城市化的结果，但地方社区和普通公民所发挥的作用可能不太明显，因此被忽视。然而，各种类型的基层活动可以从根本上影响城市化的结果（如社会资源的空间分布，城市公民的重新定义，以及产权的重建）。了解当地社区和普通公民在不同社会和文化背景下如何经历和应对城市化进程，可以促进制定适合特定社区或社会群体的方案和政策。这些知识对发展中国家尤其重要，因为城市化往往导致资源分配不均和社会群体之间机会不平等。克莱姆森大学的吴毅博士将探讨在快速城市化进程中创建平等和包容社会所面临的社会、政治和技术挑战。由于中国的城市化速度比其他大多数地区都要快，因此中国是探索这些问题的合适背景。例如，20世纪50年代，中国13%的人口居住在城市，而2013年这一数字达到53.7%。此外，这种快速城市化伴随着重大的政治变革、各种社会冲突和民众抵制。这项研究由吴毅博士（克莱姆森大学）主持，研究中国城市边缘的农村社区。具体而言，它考察了在新千年中国快速城市化的背景下，村庄社区和农村个人是否以及如何捍卫和重新定义他们的土地权利。 实证数据将从中国的三个村庄收集，这些村庄在不同的环境中以不同的速度经历了城市化。通过参与式观察、访谈和文献研究，吴毅博士收集了以下数据：（1）这些社区因城市扩张而造成的土地损失，（2）每个村庄的土地开发计划和战略，以及（3）农村个人的维权活动。这些村庄的数据将有助于比较与城市化不同阶段相关的土地使用模式，以及比较农村人口对权利、平等和社会正义问题的不同看法。此外，关于农村社区和个人如何进行土地交易的数据可能有助于社会科学家和决策者评估混合和有争议的财产制度是否以及如何有利于经济发展。简而言之，这项研究所涉及的问题不仅涉及中国，还涉及世界其他地区，特别是发展中国家。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With more than one half of the world's population now living in urban areas, urbanization is a global phenomenon that has been changing the world's physical environment and social fabric. However, urbanization is experienced differently across regions. The varying roles played by the government, local communities, and ordinary citizens are at the root of the diverse urbanization processes across the world. While the government can directly shape the outcome of urbanization through its laws, policies, and regulations, the roles played by local communities and ordinary citizens may be less visible and therefore overlooked. Nevertheless, the various types of grassroots activities can fundamentally affect the outcomes of urbanization (such as the spatial distribution of social resources, the redefinition of urban citizenship, and the reconstruction of property rights). Understanding how local communities and ordinary citizens experience and respond to the urbanization process in different social and cultural contexts can facilitate the development of programs and policies that are appropriate to specific communities or social groups. Such knowledge is especially important to developing countries where urbanization often resulted in uneven distribution of resources and unequal opportunities among social groups.Dr. Yi Wu of Clemson University will examine the social, political, and technological challenges associated with creating an equal and inclusive society in the midst of a rapid urbanization process. Because of it is urbanizing faster than most other regions, China is an appropriate context for exploring these questions. For example, 13% of China's population lived in cities in the 1950s, while the number reached 53.7% in 2013. Moreover, such rapid urbanization was accompanied by significant political changes, diverse social conflicts, and popular resistance. Conducted by Dr. Yi Wu (Clemson University), this research studies rural communities on China's urban fringes. Specifically, it examines whether and how village communities and rural individuals have defended and redefined their land rights within the context of rapid urbanization in the new-millennium China. Empirical data will be collected from three villages in China that have been experiencing urbanization at different rates and in different environments. Through participant observation, interviewing, and documentary research, Dr. Yi Wu collect data on (1) land loss caused by urban expansion in these communities, (2) each village's land development plans and strategies, and (3) the rights-asserting activities of rural individuals. Data from these villages will allow a comparison of land use patterns associated with different stages of urbanization, as well as a comparison of the varied perceptions of rural populations on issues of rights, equality, and social justice. Furthermore, data on how rural communities and individuals engage in land bargains may help social scientists and policy makers assess whether and how hybrid and contested property regimes can be conducive to economic development. In short, the questions addressed by this research concern not just China, but other parts of the world, especially developing countries.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.