In pursuit of a well-balanced network of cities and towns: A case study of the Changjiang Delta Region in China

Item

Title
In pursuit of a well-balanced network of cities and towns: A case study of the Changjiang Delta Region in China
Description
Development of urban networks of cities and towns has received attention including discussions of tensions between population concentrations and overlaps with environmentally sensitive and disaster-prone areas. Moreover, certain development in broad regions of China, such as its deltas, has become a subject of debate. Contrary to some assumptions, this development within places like the Changjiang Delta (also known as the Yangtze River Delta) has proceeded in a relatively incremental manner. However, at this juncture, controlled development of larger cities, like Shanghai, has shifted to more conventional urbanization pathways forward involving larger city expansions. Nevertheless, further urban growth management appears to depend on development and maintenance of a well-balanced network of large, medium, and small-scaled cities and towns. An important aspect of this development involves definition of the Changjiang Delta region itself, and in particular, alongside its likely further economic performance. To these ends, a scenario based Cellular Automata model of spatial distribution is deployed, reflecting separate thematic projections. A baseline for economic performance is developed, incorporating measures of fixed asset investment in urban service, revenue from urban maintenance, and Gross Domestic Product. Revelation of a well-performing network involves spatial distribution of development at various scales, and in various concentrations within the region, moreover, location of this development, largely perpendicular to well-travelled corridors, appears as a preferable outcome, contrary to earlier depictions along the major transportation corridors.
Accepted Manuscript
Creator
Guan, ChengHe
Rowe, Peter
Subject
Network of cities and towns
scenario-based Cellular Automata
economic performance
Changjiang Delta region
Disaster prevention
Publisher
Date
2022-09-27T15:12:29Z
2017
2017-02-28T16:23:40Z
2017
2022-09-27T15:12:29Z
Type
Journal Article
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
Quick submit: 2017-02-28T11:23:44-0500
Guan, ChengHe, and Peter G Rowe. 2017. “In Pursuit of a Well-Balanced Network of Cities and Towns: A Case Study of the Changjiang Delta Region in China.” Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science (March 17): 239980831769607. doi:10.1177/2399808317696073.
2399-8083
https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37373272
10.1177/2399808317696073
Language
en_US
Relation
doi:10.1177/2399808317696073
Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science