As China rises to become the world’s largest economy, half a billion rural villagers are expected to become urban residents in the coming decades. The great urbanization of the world’s most populated country is sure to be one of the most far-reaching social-economic events in the 21st century. This book provides a clear and comprehensive review of this unfolding event. It presents not only the evolution of public policies and institutional reforms regarding urban development over the past decades, but also an up-to-date survey and in-depth analysis of contemporary social-economic forces that define and contribute to the process of urbanization. Individuals interested in understanding China’s urban development will find this book useful, informative, and fascinating.