The state-market-society relationship determines the strategy and orientation of urban renewal implementation.By applying an analytical framework of state-market-society relationship,Beijing,Shanghai,Guangzhou,and Shenzhen are selected as examples to examine the evolution of urban renewal in China and their planning response since the 21st century.Based on the analysis of socio-economic environment transition within China,it compares the urban renewal model of these four first-tier cities,and sheds lights on the impacts of state-market-society relationship change to urban renewal implementation.It concludes with the discussion of the transition of urban renewal planning.