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. .