The formation of megacities is a global process. Originating from the industrial nations in the middle of 20th century the growth of megacities shifted towards the developing countries. Today in total 21 cities of the 30 biggest cities exist in developing countries. Megacities have to cope with great problems which can be categorized into the fields of structural, environmental and socio-economical problems. Uncontrollable and incalculable growth of population is particularly problematic for these cities. Chinese cities became one of the most dynamic urban areas within the last decades. By economic liberalisation in some special economic zones the mega-urban area of Pearl River Delta become one of the dynamic regions in china. Rapid economic growth and immense population pressure led to structural problems and high environmental impacts.


The interdisciplinary project 'Analysis of Informal Dynamics in Mega Urban Areas - Based on Spatial structures and Steering Mechanisms Focused on Water in the Pearl River Delta' purpose new approaches in investigating the structures and the steering mechanisms of urban development. In order to reduce in a first step the complex processes related to the development of highly dynamic mega urban areas flows of the resource 'water' and water management will be taken as an example and, secondly, subdivide the large urban agglomeration into smaller units. Within these different types of ‘urban cells’ in-depth analysis of various socioeconomic, morphological and ecological structures as well as agency structures and mechanisms become feasible. The analysis of the informal influences on formal structures and the appropriate reciprocity between different 'urban cells' and their surrounding urban spaces respectively is intended to provide further knowledge about the actual processes and adapted governance systems in the overall mega urban area.