In the last 30 years China has seen a rapid urbanization. The growth of China’s cities is similar to what Chicago experienced a century ago, says Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin. He’s written about the parallels in a three-part series called Designed in Chicago, Made in China. “Like Chicago more than a century ago, China is a laboratory where architects, urban planners, government officials and developers are concocting the urban future — both for better and for worse. The natural affinity between Chicago and China can be expressed in two words: “big” and “fast,” writes Kamin. He joins us to talk about China’s urbanization and the role Chicago architects are playing in the design of China’s fastest growing cities. PHOTO: Flickr/thewamphyri – Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai – designed by Chicago based architect Adrian Smith.