Abstract: In the process of the rapid change and transformation of cities, the housing choice of urban residents is influenced by traditional cultural values and the modern cultural form of western countries, so that there is a new cultural value system with the changing of times and more diversity. Based on cultural values perspective, we analyzed the model and mechanism about settlements and residential choice of Chinese urban residents, and built the conceptualization of theoretical models about settlements and residential choice from residents in Chinese urban areas under the planned economic system as well as in the transitional period. By taking Chengdu as an example, we had access to data of face-to-face interviews and revealed the impact of cultural values in housing choice of urban residents in China. It is concluded that the cultural values can affect the mode and results of urban housing choice in the four angles of the macro- and micro-views of the location choice, educational philosophy, support and maintenance, and marriage, and that with the growth of the younger and the age increasing of the older, the mode of living cross-generational has showed a cyclical characteristic of the family in China.

Key words: transition period, cultural values, Chinese urban residents, residential choice, Chengdu