Urban orientalism and informal urbanization in Jinan, Shandong, China

Abstract

This study examines urban orientalism in Jinan, Shandong, China, focusing on its intersection with informal urban spaces. Urban orientalism, a concept rooted in Edward Said’s seminal work, describes the tendency of Western observers to romanticize and portray non-Western cities as exotic. Jinan, undergoing rapid expansion, reflects a complex relationship between urban orientalism and informal settlements, influencing both the city’s physical landscape and social dynamics. The research explores how perceptions of Jinan’s “Oriental” identity shape policies, urban development strategies, and the lived experiences of its residents. Through a multidisciplinary approach integrating urban studies, cultural geography, and anthropology, this study analyzes the spatial distribution of informal settlements, their evolution over time, and the socioeconomic factors contributing to their persistence. In addition, it considers how local and global urban imaginaries shape views on informality and inform policy decisions impacting urban development. Drawing on empirical data from fieldwork, interviews, and archival research, this study aims to deepen understanding of urban orientalism as a multifaceted phenomenon with tangible implications for urban governance and spatial equity. Addressing these biases through more inclusive urban planning strategies is crucial for fostering equity and acknowledging diverse urban experiences.

Keywords

Urban orientalism / Informal urbanization / Jinan / China / Urban perception / Spatial dynamics

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the individuals or organizations who have provided invaluable assistance to this work.

Funding

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Qilu Institute of Technology Project Funding (#QIT23TP029).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Feroze Nazia. Data curation: Hao Ruining. Formal analysis: Hao Ruining, Javed Muhammad Danish. Funding acquisition: Hao Ruining, Faisal Feroze, Javed Muhammad Danish. Methodology: Cheng Tongshun, Faisal Feroze, Hao Ruining. Investigation: Farooq Muhammad Sabil. Project administration: Farooq Muhammad Sabil. Software: Hao Ruining, Javed Muhammad Danish. Supervision: Cheng Tongshun, Faisal Feroze. Writing – original draft: Cheng Tongshun, Farooq Muhammad Sabil, Faisal Feroze. Writing – review & editing: All authors.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

This study received ethical approval from the relevant ethical review committee (Approval ID: REQIT23TP234). All participants or interviewees provided informed consent to participate in the study.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Availability of data

The data that support the findings of this study are available upon request from the corresponding author. XXX.

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