China’s urban revival and the Datong contradiction: when planning is a double-edged sword

Few areas of China reflect the country’s decades-long economic transformation more vividly than its cities. Rapid development has turned villages into dense urban landscapes and already sizeable metro areas into some of the world’s largest population centres. As the rate of urbanisation slows and the country transitions into a new economic era, we explore how select Chinese cities are navigating the change. Read the rest of our series here.

There is hardly a city in China like Datong, where locals often reference a former mayor in daily conversations.

The name is Geng Yanbo, who assumed office during the 2008 global financial crisis. Riding the momentum of Beijing’s 4-trillion-yuan stimulus package, he oversaw a sweeping transformation during his five-year tenure, one which saw nearly every structure rebuilt or renovated.

Nestled along the north-south flowing Yu River in the central province of Shanxi, and renowned for its coal mining, Datong’s restoration efforts divided the city into two contrasting zones.

The west side saw the reconstruction of the ancient, square-shaped city – surrounded by high walls, in an attempt to recreate the city’s appearance from centuries ago – while the east side became a modern district with wide roads and high-rises, housing many relocated residents.

This experiment made Datong a unique case in China’s urban planning landscape. Despite initial doubts of resource waste, the results of Geng’s campaign gained recognition and popularity among residents, especially as the city’s pillar industry shifted away from coal towards tourism.

Local taxi driver Shi Shouyi was among those to benefit. Once living in a shabby bungalow next to a 1,000-year-old Buddhist temple – where the neighbourhood of more than 30 households shared one public toilet – his family moved into a new, modern flat around the same time.

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