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