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| THE INFLUENCE OF SUBURBAN DEVELOPMENT ZONES ON DECONSTRUCTION OF PLACENESS OF THE HOST REGIONS: A CASE OF CHANGSHA ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT ZONE |
| KONG Xiang, CHEN Dan |
| The Center for Modern Chinese City Studies & Institute for Innovation and Strategic Studies, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China |
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Abstract Based on relevant theories about space production and field work around Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone, the study intends to preliminarily discuss how placeness of the host region is deconstructed in the construction of suburban development zones. The study shows that the construction of suburban development zones is a process of space production, primarily dominated by capital and mainly producing homogeneous space that can be copied and exchanged, which changes local distinguishing physical and social environment of the host region, thus dispels the nature of place and weakens residents' sense of place. As a development zone with good economic performance in central China, Changsha Economic and Technological Development Zone has achieved continuous and massive demolition since 1992. Many hills and mountains bulldozed, and lots of rural landscape like farmland and farmhouses replaced by urban landscape like industrial plants and residential quarters. There are also obvious changes in population structure and social network, for example, the floating population are nearly four times as the household population. Suggested from the field work of 174 questionnaires and 30 interviews in Banqiao, Quantang resettlement areas and Star-city International community surrounding the development zone, more than 70% of the local residents surveyed may easily notice the transformation of local natural environment, historical landscape and social culture in the construction of development zone, which puts great negative impacts on their social network and social contact efficiency.
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Received: 26 October 2015
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2016, Vol. 31 
