Spatio-Temporal Characteristics and Obstacle Factors of the Urban-Rural Integration of China’s Shrinking Cities in the Context of Sustainable Development

Bin Du, Ying Wang, Jiaxin He, Wai Li and Xiaohong Chen
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Bin Du: College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Ying Wang: College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Jiaxin He: College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Wai Li: College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China
Xiaohong Chen: College of Geographical Sciences, Harbin Normal University, Harbin 150025, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 8, 1-16

Abstract: Based on the fundamental concept of sustainable development, this study empirically analyzes the spatio-temporal characteristics, formation mechanisms and obstacle factors of the urban-rural integration of shrinking cities in China, from 2008 to 2018. The conclusions are as follows: the overall level of the urban-rural integration of shrinking cities in China is low; the internal differences of urban-rural integration are also small, and the changes are slow. Next, the space difference is high in the east and low in the west, high in the south and low in the north. Moreover, differences exist among different levels of urban agglomerations. Urban economic efficiency, urban resources and environment, urban social equity and rural economic efficiency are the main factors affecting the urban-rural integration of shrinking cities in China. Urban and rural economic efficiency are the two most prominent shortcomings that restrict the urban-rural integration of shrinking cities. The spatial resistance mode of each city is more than the two-system resistance; the main resistance of shrinking cities with a higher level of urban-rural integration also comes from the non-economic field. This study expands the research scope that up till now has ignored the discussion of urban-rural issues in the research of shrinking cities at home and abroad, and provides practical guidance for the sustainable development of shrinking cities in China.

Keywords: sustainable development; shrinking city; urban-rural relationship; spatio-temporal pattern; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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