The social impact of Chinese mega projects – Insights from Shanghai Lingang

Large scale urban development projects have become a salient feature in many cities nowadays. Especially mega projects in the Global North are often interpreted as 'conduits of neoliberalisation' (Tarazona Vento, 2017) and blamed for many social problems such as gentrification and a post-political society. However, mega urban projects have also multiplied in many Chinese cities yet very little is known about how such projects are governed and what kind of social impacts they create. Using the case study of Shanghai Lingang New Town, this presentation will explore the social problems that have emerged under a governance system that is characterised by an omni-present state which is more focused on achieving its own economic and political goals rather than improving the livelihood of local communities.