The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou
Given cities’ different development backgrounds, the spatial evolution of each city has a path-dependent development track. Understanding the characteristics of urban spatial structure evolution in contemporary China is essential for sustainable urban development. By establishing a theoretical frame...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/11/2054 |
| _version_ | 1797464844721455104 |
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| author | Liang Zhang Xianfan Shu Jiaojiao Luo |
| author_facet | Liang Zhang Xianfan Shu Jiaojiao Luo |
| author_sort | Liang Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Given cities’ different development backgrounds, the spatial evolution of each city has a path-dependent development track. Understanding the characteristics of urban spatial structure evolution in contemporary China is essential for sustainable urban development. By establishing a theoretical framework comprising a macro-background, planning tool, and resource allocation, this paper takes Hangzhou as an example to analyze the evolutionary process of the polycentric spatial structure and reveal the formation characteristics of its polycentric urban spatial form. The results show that (1) its institutional background and planning tools are the driving forces behind the formation of the polycentric structure in Hangzhou, i.e., the evolution of the polycentric structure mainly relies on planning guidance and government forces rather than being market-driven. (2) Under the government-led mode of polycentric formation, urban elements, such as education, medical care, transportation, and green space, are still concentrated in the main urban center, while subcenters lack the necessary public facilities and are underdeveloped. (3) The spatial distribution of the population and nightlights also shows the trend of diminishing concentric circles with the main center at the core. Therefore, it is impossible to implement polycentric cities by decentralizing the population and industries alone. The comprehensive consideration of capital investment, production services, and the supply of life service facilities is also required. This empirical study can complement empirical evidence in order to verify the validity of polycentrism as a potential solution that can alleviate the sprawl of central urban areas. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:13:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8d4cf7fadf2d4a788b348bc2d5f1dfcb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:13:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-8d4cf7fadf2d4a788b348bc2d5f1dfcb2023-11-24T08:56:01ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2022-11-011111205410.3390/land11112054The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of HangzhouLiang Zhang0Xianfan Shu1Jiaojiao Luo2College of Urban Construction, Zhejiang Shuren University, Shuren Road 8, Hangzhou 310015, ChinaSchool of Economics, Hangzhou Normal University, Yuhangtang Road 2318, Hangzhou 311121, ChinaSchool of Economics, Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics, Xueyuan Road 38, Hangzhou 310018, ChinaGiven cities’ different development backgrounds, the spatial evolution of each city has a path-dependent development track. Understanding the characteristics of urban spatial structure evolution in contemporary China is essential for sustainable urban development. By establishing a theoretical framework comprising a macro-background, planning tool, and resource allocation, this paper takes Hangzhou as an example to analyze the evolutionary process of the polycentric spatial structure and reveal the formation characteristics of its polycentric urban spatial form. The results show that (1) its institutional background and planning tools are the driving forces behind the formation of the polycentric structure in Hangzhou, i.e., the evolution of the polycentric structure mainly relies on planning guidance and government forces rather than being market-driven. (2) Under the government-led mode of polycentric formation, urban elements, such as education, medical care, transportation, and green space, are still concentrated in the main urban center, while subcenters lack the necessary public facilities and are underdeveloped. (3) The spatial distribution of the population and nightlights also shows the trend of diminishing concentric circles with the main center at the core. Therefore, it is impossible to implement polycentric cities by decentralizing the population and industries alone. The comprehensive consideration of capital investment, production services, and the supply of life service facilities is also required. This empirical study can complement empirical evidence in order to verify the validity of polycentrism as a potential solution that can alleviate the sprawl of central urban areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/11/2054polycentricspatial structuredriving forceHangzhou |
| spellingShingle | Liang Zhang Xianfan Shu Jiaojiao Luo The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou Land polycentric spatial structure driving force Hangzhou |
| title | The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou |
| title_full | The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou |
| title_fullStr | The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou |
| title_short | The Formation of a Polycentric City in Transitional China in a Three-Level Analysis Framework: The Case Study of Hangzhou |
| title_sort | formation of a polycentric city in transitional china in a three level analysis framework the case study of hangzhou |
| topic | polycentric spatial structure driving force Hangzhou |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/11/11/2054 |
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