Studentification in China: changing geographies of Haidian district, Beijing

Processes of studentification encompass socio-economic, cultural and physical changes which are tied to seasonal population movements of university students. To date, most empirical investigations of studentification have tended to take place in Anglophone contexts. This thesis extends the lens of study to China, and shows the salience of the concept for understanding urban transformations which have unfolded since the introduction of a new state policy in 1999 for the expansion of higher education. Using the case study of Haidian District (Beijing), and focussing on Peking University students, the thesis makes original contributions to academic knowledge. First, it argued that the concept of studentification can be transposed to the Chinese context, and that social, cultural, economic and physical signifiers of studentification are evident in Beijing. Second, four main geographies of studentification are revealed, which concur with Smith and Hubbard s (2014) discussion of the co-existence of diverse geographies of studentification in the UK. These include: on-campus, university-managed dormitories (Yanyuan and Shaoyuan by Peking University); off-campus, university-managed dormitories (Wanliu, Changchunyuan/Changchunxinyuan, and Global Village); off-campus, Housing in Multiple Occupation (Haidianlu), and; off-campus, Purpose-built student accommodation (Wudaokou). By contrast to the UK, it is shown that all geographies of studentification are gated . Yet, differential residential and socio-cultural experiences are highlighted, in part, influenced by state regulations for Chinese students to reside within university-managed dormitories, or acquire permission to live off-campus; contrary to less-regulated accommodation patterns of International students. This division marks a conceptual difference between studentification in China and UK, with international students more aligned to stereotypical cultural/lifestyle traits of UK students (e.g. noise, partying), as opposed to Chinese counterparts residing in regulated (study-oriented) spaces on-campus. The thesis presents a redefined conceptualisation of studentification for pining down the diverse geographies of student housing in Beijing, to meet the differential demands of Chinese and international students in an expanded system of higher education