Gu Guanghui's Drone Photography Documents China's Urban-Rural Divide

Gu Guanghui, a photographer from Ninghai County in Zhejiang Province, China, employs drone technology to capture the swift urbanization reshaping his region. His photographs document various developments, including residential buildings, hydroelectric and photovoltaic power plants, high-speed rail lines, and the experiences of construction workers. These visuals illustrate how new projects entice upscale businesses and modernize urban landscapes, but also exacerbate disparities. Rural areas face underinvestment, leading to a growing divide from urban hubs. This imbalance causes a migration of youth to cities, leaving villages depopulated. The demolition of older urban neighborhoods further intensifies feelings of dislocation among residents. In 2021, Gu Guanghui was a finalist in the Sony World Photography Awards Professional Competition, and his insights stem from his role at the Archives of the Bureau of Urban Construction, where he frequently documents environmental changes at construction sites.