Mengke Wang

Policy Impacts on the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Urban Villages: A Case Study of Zhengzhou

My research examines how planning policies have shaped the evolution of urban villages in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China. Urban villages, originally rural settlements that became surrounded by expanding cities, are at the center of major redevelopment efforts. The mix of informal housing, unique land ownership structures, and rapid urbanization makes them a fascinating yet challenging issue for policymakers and urban planners. I explore how different policies have influenced their transformation from 1992 to today and what the future might look like under various policy scenarios. The study is divided into three phases. First, I analyze shifts in land use, density, and expansion using GIS and remote sensing to track long-term trends. I also examine policy documents to understand how land ownership and redevelopment strategies have shaped these changes. Second, I compare Zhengzhou’s urban village development with Guangzhou’s, looking at how different regional policies and economic factors influence outcomes. Finally, I use predictive modeling tools like SLEUTH to simulate future urban growth under different policy approaches—ranging from aggressive redevelopment to more balanced upgrading strategies. By applying Theory-Based Impact Evaluation (TBIE), my research provides a structured way to assess how effective these policies really are. The goal is to offer insights that help cities like Zhengzhou balance urban growth with social equity and community resilience. Beyond contributing to academic discussions on urbanization, I hope my work will provide practical tools and recommendations for policymakers navigating similar challenges.

Supervisors

Professor Andre Brown & Dr Jose Nunez Collado

Qualifications

Graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a master's degree in Urban Strategies and Design in 2022

Presentations

60th ISOCARP World Planning Congress, 9 OCTOBER 2024 | SIENA | ITALY Title: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhancing
Flood Resilience in Urban Villages: A Case Study of Zhengzhou, China

20th International Conference on Urban Health NOVEMBER 18 Title: The Impact of Winter Smog on Stroke Incidence in Northern China

Contact

mengke.wang@vuw.ac.nz