Spatial Association of Urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Wei Zhao, Xuan Liu, Qingxin Deng, Dongyang Li, Jianing Xu, Mengdi Li and Yaoping Cui
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Wei Zhao: Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Henan University, Ministry of Education, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
Xuan Liu: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
Qingxin Deng: School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, Guangdong, China
Dongyang Li: College of Environment and Planning, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
Jianing Xu: College of Land Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Mengdi Li: Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Henan University, Ministry of Education, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China
Yaoping Cui: Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Henan University, Ministry of Education, Kaifeng 475004, Henan, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-17

Abstract: China is urbanizing rapidly, but current research into the spatiotemporal characteristics of urbanization often ignores the spatial and evolutionary associations of cities. Using the theory of spatial polarization and diffusion, together with a systematic analysis method, this study examined the spatial development process of urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region of China during 1995–2015. Results showed clear patterns in the scale and hierarchy of regional urbanization. Shanghai ranked first as the regional growth pole, while Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Suzhou ranked second. The spatial linkage index of urbanization showed that 10 cities (including Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou) constituted the densest spatial linkage network. The diffused area often became spatially polarized before the polarization then weakened as a new diffusion stage developed. The study also revealed that the spatial correlation urbanization differences in the YRD generally decreased. The polarization index revealed increasing spatial integration and correlation of urbanization in the YRD. This study proved that each city had a different spatial role in relation to other cities during different stages of development. Investigation of the driving mechanism of regional urbanization indicated that industrial modernization and relocation within the region provided the main endogenous driving force for the formation of spatial polarization or diffusion. Our research provides important scientific support for regional development planning. Furthermore, our analysis of the impact of spatial correlation within cities or a region could provide an important reference in relation to the regional environment and public health.

Keywords: spatial polarization; spatial diffusion; urban evolution; urbanization; internal mechanism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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