How The United States can help boost global urbanization

Seizing the Opportunities of Global Urbanization: The New Frontier in America's International Economic Policy

The article discusses how many developing countries are well on their way to having some of the world’s largest cities.  These countries include China, Indonesia, Mexico and India, just to name a few.  Building these cities will require experts with vast knowledge of the fields of architecture and engineering, as well as years of experience within these fields.  The article’s main point is that it would be very advantageous for the United States, one of the most developed nations in the world, has plenty of business men and contractors that would be able to assist these developing countries with their urbanization.

                The United States cities and states have a wealth of industrial knowledge that is very valuable to any rapidly growing city.  The author of the article traveled to various cities across world that were listed as some of the top 75 most dynamic cities.  These cities were rated on both gross domestic product and population.  China alone accounted for 29 of the 75 notable cities.  During his trip the author had discussions with municipal and provincial officials about various forms of economic growth and environmental concerns.  It was also noted in the article that delegates from many developing countries travel to the United States to gather information and to learn as much as possible about urbanization in order to better their own cities.  In conclusion it seems that if a developing country wants to become more modernized, why not look at what a developed nation is doing and take a few notes?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-hormats/seizing-the-opportunities_b_2948224.html

Andrew Clouse

March 29, 2013

12:13 PM

Urbanization in China: a ghost town


While we want you to share, we ask you use the functions on-site rather than copy/paste. See T's & C's for details. http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3171310/Urbanization-in-China-a-ghost-town.html?copyrightInfo=true

 Urbanization in China: a ghost town

Urbanization in China: a ghost town


While we want you to share, we ask you use the functions on-site rather than copy/paste. See T's & C's for details. http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3171310/Urbanization-in-China-a-ghost-town.html?copyrightInfo=true

Urbanization in China: a ghost town


While we want you to share, we ask you use the functions on-site rather than copy/paste. See T's & C's for details. http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3171310/Urbanization-in-China-a-ghost-town.html?copyrightInfo=true

Urbanization in China: a ghost town


While we want you to share, we ask you use the functions on-site rather than copy/paste. See T's & C's for details. http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3171310/Urbanization-in-China-a-ghost-town.html?copyrightInfo=true

Urbanization in China is currently a big deal and a highly controversial topic.  With China’s booming economic and population growth, urbanization is something that China is going to have to deal with.  This article discusses a point brought about Xi Jinping, a man who holds a position in China relative to the president in the United States.  His point about urbanization is that it shouldn’t be about building large cities or skyscrapers, but rather it should be about moving the country from a rural setting to a more up to date urban/modern one.  He believes that the future of China lies promoting growth of rural areas, but not by turning them into something they are not.

                Xi argues that for a better standard of living for the Chinese people, urbanization is a must.  He cites statistics that show that when areas become more and more urbanized, wages for jobs worked rise and the general standard of living rises as well.  People are more happy with their lives and it leads to an overall more healthy nation.  Urbanization is very important for China because without it, the Chinese people would slowly lose grasp with the rest of the modern world, and China would lose its standing as one of the world’s largest economic powers.

http://www.euromoney.com/Article/3171310/Urbanization-in-China-a-ghost-town.html

Andrew Clouse

Soc 202-02

March 21 7:11 PM

Blog 6

Urbanization Challenges China’s Farmland Conservation.

The article discusses the stark contrast between China’s rapidly growing urbanization efforts and its impact on rural farmland.  In particular the article talks about Lijiang city, in a southwestern Chinese province known as Yunnan.  A large railway station was recently added to the hillside in an attempt to keep flat ground open for farming.  Construction in rural areas is becoming more of a problem in recent years as it is taking up more and more room.

                Flat land used for farming is becoming increasingly scarce throughout China, which is a major problem because according to the article, only 2.7% of China’s grains come from outside resources; the rest are grown in China’s farmlands.  In Lijiang the land capable of use for farming only makes up 4.2% of all the land, and 37% of that farm-capable land is currently in use for construction purposes.  A large part of what the article is trying to portray is that, if unchecked, urbanization will literally starve China.  By introducing the article by talking about the recent railway addition the author is able to show just how important flat, farmable land really is to a nation, regardless of how technologically advanced they are.

                I predict that in the future, and maybe even now, China will seek alternatives to buildings and construction on flat ground, and will be able to create cities out of hillsides if necessary.  China’s growth and urbanization are leading to a big struggle between rural areas and urban areas, especially considering that China is the most populous nation on the planet.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2013-02/23/content_28044059.htm

Andrew Clouse

March 7, 2013

5:16 PM

China's Premier: Don't Sacrifice Rural Interests in Push for Urbanization

Perhaps the best starting place in a talk about urbanization would be China.  Currently the worlds most populous country, China is experiencing a large amount of economic and population growth, both closely tied to its current rate of urbanization.  The article discusses the issue of urbanization in light of the large amount of rural citizens that live in China.  China’s current premier, a job very similar to that of the prime minister in England, is being replaced by his vice premier.  The current premier, Wen Jiabao,  warns that if China wishes to continue its successful urbanization, it needs to keep in mind that the interests of its rural communities need to be kept in mind. 

                A large part of Jiabao’s platform included benefits for rural citizens as well as a lowering of the income gap between rural and urban areas.  The premier set to replace Jiabao, a man known as Li Keqiang, runs his platform based on boosting the current rate of urbanization in China.  He believes that urbanization is key to future growth in the country.  Jiabao’s slogan at the beginning of his administration was to build “a new socialist countryside”.  The current premier finds it very important that in seeking urbanization, those that are a part of the rural community should not be snuffed out, and their interests should be held as important as those of the rural community.

                China is the largest country in the world by population and almost the largest in total area.  To begin with them in a talk about urbanization is like beginning with Mozart in a talk about classical music.  There is much that can be learned through a careful study of their progress as a nation.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324610504578273702222873798.html

Andrew Clouse

January 31, 2013

9:48 PM

Urbanization

I chose Urbanization because I feel it to be a very relevant topic that has influences in many other social issues