Urban Sprawl as Policy Sprawl: Distinguishing Chinese Capitalism’s Suburban Spatial Fix

Abstract

We examine how China’s urban sprawl is systemically linked to policy sprawl that results from the contradictions inherent within policies but also their magnification by the specifics of policy development and circulation within China. We define the concept of policy sprawl by distinguishing it from policy creep and churn, making a distinct contribution to the extant literature on policy mobility. We illustrate our ideas with reference to special economic zones and featured town policies in China. In conclusion we note differences in capitalism’s suburban spatial fix in the United States and China, the merits of distinguishing a concept of policy sprawl, and the prospects for its export.