Transformation of PRC Major Cities under COVID-19 Impact

ABSTRACT

The study is aimed at identifying features of the COVID-2019 pandemic impact on urbanization in China. The objects of the study were the cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. The choice is determined by their representativeness and the possibility to apply the results of the study to other large urban agglomerations in China. The methodology is based on an integrated methodological approach that combines elements of descriptive statistical and sociological research. To assess relationship between the spread of the pandemic in the metropolitan areas of Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, correlation and regression analysis was used. The study of the impact of the pandemic on the quality of life of the urban population was carried out through a survey using a structured questionnaire. The data obtained were processed and analyzed using the SPSS26.0 software, which made it possible to identify the degree of connection between urbanization and aspects of the urban people life, including their employment, well-being, access to health services, and the transformation of life values. It was found that there is a strong link between the level of urbanization and the pandemic, therefore, with the development of urbanization, the number of cases of infection (if other conditions remain unchanged) increases, and vice versa. As a result of a survey of urban residents and an assessment of the frequencies and correlations of responses, it was revealed that the impact of the pandemic on the daily life of urban people was most pronounced on the level of well-being among informally employed people, increasing the availability of health care, and only then on the values of citizens. These results should be taken into account for improving the quality of urbanization.