Exploring the Transformation Path and Enlightenment of Border Cities: A Case Study of Jilong, Tibet, China

Tao Song, Shiyu Wang and Zhouying Song ()
Additional contact information
Tao Song: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Shiyu Wang: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Zhouying Song: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the border city of Jilong in Tibet, China, within the wider context of the global south and the transformation of China’s interior frontier in recent decades. It examines the transformation process of Jilong, identifies the driving factors of its development, and investigates the implementation and impact of relevant policies. Employing a longitudinal case study method, semi-structured interviews, and multi-source data analysis (including policy documents, statistical bulletins, and field notes), this research examines Jilong’s transformation trajectory, the factors behind this change, and policy implementation outcomes. The findings reveal that Jilong has undergone a significant transition from a traditional border trade point to a national strategic hub. Industrial diversification, infrastructure modernization, and governance innovation are recognized as central to this transformation. Additionally, the study also finds challenges such as ecological vulnerability, geological disaster risk, and the necessity for enhancement in cross-border collaboration mechanisms, proposing measures like green development, customs facilitation, and a system for both importing and cultivating local talent. This research emphasizes the transformation of border cities from a complex interplay of national strategy, external shocks, and local initiative. It accordingly advocates for an integrated development model, which combines policy empowerment, resilient infrastructure, cultivation of distinctive industries, and refined border governance. This study adds to research on border cities in the Global South and provides insights for supporting sustainable development in similar cities located in strategic corridors.

Keywords: border city; rescaling; China–Nepal border; South Asia; South Urbanism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/10/1935/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/10/1935/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:10:p:1935-:d:1757034

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().