Strategies for the economic transformation of a port city: A case study of Ningbo

Abstract

This article describes the development of a long-term economic strategy for Ningbo, which is the largest non-container and fourth-largest container port in China. During the period of ‘reform and opening up’, the port expanded rapidly and there was large-scale growth of port-related industries. Since the turn of the century there has been a move to a more diversified economy emphasizing service industries. Following a review of the experience of other first- and second-tier port cities around the world, a strategy for Ningbo’s economic transformation has been drawn up, with three main strands: achieving industrial transformation (the core objective), advancing the regional position of Ningbo among adjacent cities (the major programmes), and urbanization (the driving force).