This introductory chapter intends to locate the ensuing critical discussion about Chinese people-oriented eco-city development with a set of broader contemporary issues regarding its suitable development orientation (e.g. technological showcase or liveable habitat that people enjoy living, planning slogan or practical project) as the research background, for the purpose of justifying its significance as an object of social sustainability. Moreover, it outlines both research aim and research questions which have guided main research methods and analysis, being followed by research contributions and an overview of structure and methodology.