Australia and China Perspectives on Urban Regeneration and Rural Revitalization

When it comes to the business of urban and rural renewal, once we compare cases from vastly different contexts, we are surprised to realise how much commonality that we share, and how much we can learn from the differences. The scholarly value of this timely book lies in just that.

Xing Ruan, Professor, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China.

By bringing together a collection of essays on urban and rural development strategies in Australia and China, this volume makes an important contribution to the research on more sustainable urbanisation processes from major metropolitan areas to regional centres. Comparisons are drawn between both countries throughout the book, offering valuable insights into their distinct challenges and opportunities. Within its chapters, readers will discover a breadth of case studies and policy recommendations addressing issues related to social sustainability, cultural revitalisation, and ecological restoration.

Duanfang Lu, Professor, School of Architecture, Design and Planning (ADP), the University of Sydney, Australia.

This significant collaboration between Australian and Chinese scholars offers profound findings on urbanisation and associated challenges. These in-depth comparative studies are full of insights. The book is an exemplar of grounded, engaged, and productive research collaborations. The perspectives from these studies shed lights on the vital issues of urban regeneration and rural vitalisation beyond these two countries. The skilful editorial intervention by editors, Raffaele Pernice and Bing Chen, produced a coherent book for urban studies research communities and planning professionals. It is a rich source of information for students interested in urbanisation and planning.

Fulong Wu, Bartlett Professor of Planning, UCL.

Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives and diverse case studies from Australia and China, this volume presents fresh and original accounts of how planners and built environment professionals engage in various forms of experimentation in urban regeneration and rural revitalisation amidst emergent socio-economic challenges. The book is an important addition to the growing body of scholarship that promotes comparative approaches that depart from previous works, which tended to emphasise the exceptionalities of each country.

Cecilia L. Chu, School of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.