Das Projekt "Analyse informeller Dynamik in Mega-urbanen Regionen - basierend auf räumlichen Strukturen und Steuerungsmechanismem in Hinblick auf Wasser im Perlfluss-Delta" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für Landschaftsarchitektur durchgeführt. Informal factors and processes in centralistic governmental systems as in China have their own structure and specificity, as they are outside of an apparently completely 'from above' controlled process. Within the framework of a DFG (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft) priority programme, an interdisciplinary work group at RWTH Aachen University, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel and Guangdong University of Technology composed of urban geography, hydrogeology and landscape architecture, provides new approaches for investigating these structures and the steering mechanisms of mega urban development. In order to reduce the complex processes related to the development of highly dynamic mega urban areas flows of the resource 'water'are taken as a example and, secondly, the large urban agglomeration is subdivided into smaller units. With regard to 'closed'settlement structures in China resulting from social patterns and political planning-also in the PRD - different urban units can be identified very well. These units exhibit both in its building and open space structure and in its social composition and economic functions a relatively high homogeneity. In-depth analyses of agency structures and mechanisms as well as of informal socioeconomic, morphological and ecological processes become feasible. With these 'urban cells'it seems to be possible to understand mega-cities in China and their complexity by means of characteristic reference areas. The different 'urban cell'types with their ecological, socio-economic and spatial characteristics and especially their dynamics can be described as 'basis structure'for the overall system 'mega urban PRD'. The interaction of these units and their influence on the dynamic urban development and streams of resources are of particular interest. 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 dynamics and adapted governance systems in the overall mega urban area.