The Age of Urban Transformation in China: From a Wishful List of Urban Growth to Development-Centered Reality

China has experienced an unparalleled period of urban transformation in the past few decades (Cheshmehzangi & Tang, 2024). The nation’s social, economic, and environmental landscapes have undergone a fundamental transformation as a result of its fast urbanization, moving from an era of lofty goals and expansive growth plans to one of sober, development-focused realities (Song & Ding, 2007; Wei, 2019). This change symbolizes a move away from idealistic views of urban expansion and toward a more practical strategy centered on sustainable development and well-thought-out urban planning.