Introduction

Abstract

This chapter first offers a descriptive portrayal of the Laowaitan, the iconic urban redevelopment project in Ningbo and a new urban space of nightlife. Then, it offers an overview of the sweeping trend of urban redevelopment in China and its implications for the transformation of the Chinese state and state-society relations. Using the theoretical perspectives of the local entrepreneurial state, the entrepreneurial city, and corporatism, Zhang then puts forward the research questions and theoretical framework of this book. Finally, he discusses the research design of the book.