Liu Xin

Based on a major research project undertaken by a team at the Institute of Market Economy, Development Research Center of the State Council of China, a project which included extensive survey research, and involved also many international scholars including researchers at the World Economic Forum Research Center and OECD, this book explores the possible future trajectories for urbanization in China. The book argues, drawing on examples from around the world, that technological advances have a huge impact on the exact nature of urbanization, and that institutions and policies have a significant role too, institutional arrangements such as modern education systems, patents and intellectual protection, and modern corporate systems. The book goes on to assess how current technological advances are likely to affect future urbanization and concludes by setting out how China should seize the opportunities from new technological advances and the associated transformation and upgrading of economic and social structures, and coordinate the development of "technology, factors of production, industry and institutions" as an integrated engine for high quality future urbanization.

Based on a major research project undertaken by a team at the Institute of Market Economy, Development Research Center of the State Council of China, a project which included extensive survey research, and involved also many international scholars including researchers at the World Economic Forum Research Center and OECD, this book explores the possible future trajectories for urbanization in China. The book argues, drawing on examples from around the world, that technological advances have a huge impact on the exact nature of urbanization, and that institutions and policies have a significant role too, institutional arrangements such as modern education systems, patents and intellectual protection, and modern corporate systems. The book goes on to assess how current technological advances are likely to affect future urbanization and concludes by setting out how China should seize the opportunities from new technological advances and the associated transformation and upgrading of economic and social structures, and coordinate the development of "technology, factors of production, industry and institutions" as an integrated engine for high quality future urbanization.

This book, based on a huge European and Asian research project, is a state-of-the-art examination of the theory and practice of system innovation through Product-Service System (PSS) design for sustainability from a trans-cultural viewpoint. PSS design incorporates innovative strategies that shift businesses away from simply designing and selling physical products to developing integrated systems of products and services that satisfy human needs. The book provides background, advice and tools for designers interested in sustainable PSSs and has a wealth of case studies for practitioners to digest.

The concept of smart cities holds environmental promises: that digital technologies will reduce carbon emissions, air pollution and waste, and help address climate change. Drawing on academic scholarship and two case studies from Manchester and Helsinki, this timely and accessible book examines what happens when these promises are broken, as they prioritise technological innovation rather than environmental care. The book reveals that smart cities’ vision of sustainable digital future obfuscates the environmental harms and social injustices that digitisation inflicts. The framework of “broken promises”, coined by the authors, centres environmental questions in analysing imaginaries and practices of smart cities. This is a must read for anyone interested in the connections between digital technologies and environment justice.

An exploration of the conflict between traditional Chinese ideology and modern Chinese business practice

An exploration of the conflict between traditional Chinese ideology and modern Chinese business practice