Evolution, Scale Reconfiguration, and Governance Framework of State-level New Areas in China at the Age of New Globalization
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Amidst the shift to "New Globalization", China's State-level New Areas serve as critical instruments for spatial governance. This study utilizes Scale Reconfiguration Theory to systematically review the institutional evolution of 19 SNAs. Findings identify a four-phase trajectory, evolving from a rigid top-down model to a sophisticated multi-level interaction framework. The governance logic exhibits a "centralized-decentralized" paradox, where the state rescales authority to city-regions to bypass provincial intermediaries while retaining strategic control. Spatially, SNAs have transitioned from industrial growth poles to polycentric eco-cities integrating production, living, and ecological spaces. To navigate global uncertainty, the study proposes a normative framework focusing on institutional optimization, regional strategic recalibration, digital transformation, and enhanced urban-spatial connectivity. This research contributes by refining State Rescaling Theory within a non-Western context, demonstrating how the Global South reorganizes power and space to achieve resilient and sustainable regional development.
Authors: Chong Peng, Qinguan Kang, Xianjun Zeng, Xiaohua Zou
Institution: Fujian University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7154569804
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