1. Urban Village Redevelopment: The Paradox of Social Inclusion

This chapter delves into the intricate dynamics of social inclusion in the context of urban village redevelopment in Xi'an, China. It begins with a narrative of two contrasting cases of urban village redevelopment, illustrating the initial success and subsequent decline of these projects. The author then explores the historical and socio-economic context of urban villages in China, tracing their evolution from rural settlements to urban areas. The chapter also discusses the concept of social inclusion and its relevance to urban village redevelopment, highlighting the paradoxes and challenges in achieving genuine social integration. The author argues that the process of redevelopment itself can be exclusionary, and that a more holistic approach is needed to address the multifaceted issues faced by urban villagers. The chapter concludes by outlining the research questions and methodology for the study, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the topic in subsequent chapters.