Research Direction

The Program on Chinese Cities (PCC) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill conducts research across a wide spectrum of issues shaped by China’s rapid urbanization and its global implications. Our work explores the interconnections between environment, economy, policy, and society, with a focus on solutions that are rigorous, practical, and transformative.

Key areas of research include

1. Sustainable Environment and Energy: Advancing low-carbon urban models, renewable energy integration, and adaptive resilience to climate change.
2. Land Use, Transportation, and Infrastructure: Exploring how urban expansion, redevelopment, and mobility systems interact to create more efficient, equitable, and sustainable cities.
3. Community Development and Public Health: Studying neighborhood revitalization, housing equity, and the health impacts of urban development, while emphasizing inclusive development that strengthens local communities.
4. Economic and Business Upgrading: Investigating policies and practices that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial transformation, enabling cities to transition toward more sustainable and competitive economies.
5. Governance, Property Rights, and Finance: Analyzing the role of property institutions, fiscal tools, and urban finance in shaping equitable growth and effective governance.

Interdisciplinary Approach

A hallmark of PCC research is its interdisciplinary framework, integrating urban planning with fields such as economics, public policy, environmental science, transportation engineering, real estate studies, and public health. This cross-disciplinary lens enables us to connect sustainability with equity, link infrastructure with economic development, and embed health considerations into urban growth strategies. For example, research on housing policy draws from public policy to examine regulatory frameworks, while environmental science informs studies on low-carbon transitions. Transportation and real estate intersect to assess the role of mobility in redevelopment, while public health insights shape our analyses of inclusive, resilient communities.

Global and Practical Relevance

PCC research stands at the intersection of theory, practice, and policy, ensuring that cutting-edge scholarship translates into real-world impact. By providing evidence-based insights, PCC equips policymakers and practitioners with tools to plan regions that are equitable, sustainable, and resilient. Beyond China, PCC positions Chinese cities as living laboratories, whose experiences enrich global conversations on balancing urbanization and sustainability—offering forward-looking models of development that resonates cities worldwide.