As China's urbanization enters a phase characterized by the optimization of existing urban space, the governance pathways and socioeconomic consequences of urban villages and similar communities have attracted increasing scholarly attention. This article takes Baishizhou in Shenzhen and Tiantongyuan in Beijing as comparative cases and, drawing on existing literature and fieldwork research, examines the governance models and developmental outcomes of urban villages and urban village–like communities under different institutional contexts between 2016 and 2026. The study finds that although both communities have long served as important residential spaces for accommodating migrant populations, differences in their institutional formation mechanisms and property rights structures have led to divergent trajectories. Baishizhou has gradually followed a redevelopment path characterized by spatial restructuring, whereas Tiantongyuan has achieved incremental improvements primarily through enhanced public services and optimized governance. This article argues that the divergence in governance pathways reflects the significant influence of institutional conditions on urban spatial transformation. These cases contribute to a better understanding of the diversity of urban  governance models in China and provide insights for the future regeneration of urban villages.

Tailai Cao. Divergent and Convergent Paths in the Governance and Development of China's Urban Villages (2016–2026)—A Case Study of Baishizhou in Shenzhen and Tiantongyuan in Beijing. International Journal of Frontiers in Sociology (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 2: 85-95. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFS.2026.080211.

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