Search Results (53)

The urban–rural income gap remains a central issue in the income distribution of developing countries, constraining regional coordination and social equity. Although stable economic development is essential for narrowing this gap, the distributional consequences of local economic growth management have received insufficient attention, especially from the perspective of urban spatial structure. Drawing on the urban bias theory and spatial economics, this study uses panel data from 41 prefecture-level cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China during 2007–2023 and applies a two-way fixed effects model to examine the effect of economic growth target pressure on the urban–rural income gap and the mediating role of urban spatial structure. The results show that economic growth target pressure significantly widens the urban–rural income gap, with an estimated increase of approximately 0.001–0.002 units in the Theil index. Mediation analysis further indicates that target pressure promotes a more monocentric urban spatial structure, which partially mediates the effect. The results also show evident temporal and regional heterogeneity. These findings suggest that growth-oriented local governance may reshape income distribution through spatial organization, offering empirical evidence for optimizing local economic management and urban spatial structure to promote coordinated urban–rural development. Full article

Rapid urbanisation is threatening agriculture in major cities worldwide. In the Greater Bandung Area (GBA), large-scale conversion of agricultural land into built-up areas has occurred over recent decades. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the rural–urban transition and its control in the agricultural context over the last 20 years. The methods adopted were multitemporal analysis of land cover change (2003–2023), calculation of the sub-district development index (SDI) (2005–2014–2021), spatial clustering analysis, and assessment of the level of agricultural land control. The results showed a transformation of GBA’s spatial structure from a monocentric growth pattern to a polycentric configuration, with the peri-urban zone within a 10–20 km radius evolving as a high-performance area. This shift has diminished the dominance of the traditional city centre and produced a pronounced “donut effect”. An integrated analysis of SDI and spatial clustering identified three interrelated functional zones, namely urban, peri-urban, and rural, forming a continuous spatial gradient. The peri-urban area functioned as a dynamic interface where agricultural activities coexisted and competed with urban expansion pressures. These results outlined the need for context-specific and differentiated planning methods, supported by selective spatial control to guide metropolitan transition toward balanced and sustainable development. Full article

In recent years, local governments in China have actively promoted new district development, encouraging a transition from monocentric to polycentric urban form. Whether and how this spatial restructuring is reflected in government-mediated land grant prices, however, remains unsettled. Using LandScan population grids and Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), this paper measures the polycentric spatial structure of 283 prefecture-level cities in China. We merge this measure with city-level land transaction data to examine how polycentricity affects overall urban land prices as well as industrial, residential, and commercial land prices. The results show that a more polycentric urban structure significantly increases comprehensive land prices. Across land-use categories, the effect is smallest for industrial land and stronger for residential and commercial land. Further analysis shows that land-finance dependence moderates the effect of polycentric urban spatial structure on land prices, and this moderating effect differs across land-use types. In addition, the positive effect of polycentricity is weaker in larger cities. Spatial econometric estimates further suggest that local polycentricity raises land prices in neighboring cities, implying the presence of positive spillovers across urban areas. The paper contributes to the literature on urban spatial structure by linking intra-urban polycentricity to land price and by showing that these effects extend beyond city boundaries. Full article

This study uses Shenyang as a case to integrate multi-source dynamic data with spatial modeling. A comprehensive resistance surface was planned using 12 indicators across the natural, built, and socio-economic dimensions, with objective weighting via the CRITIC method. A hierarchical corridor network was generated based on the MCR model and circuit theory, validated by chi-square goodness-of-fit tests and network structural analysis. The results indicate that socio-economic factors, particularly path activity frequency, dominate the spatial patterns of the corridors, confirming that the network captures connectivity rooted in human activity rather than simply replicating transportation infrastructure. The distribution of national, provincial, and municipal heritage sites across the three higher-importance tiers (L1–L3) shows no significant deviation from the regional baseline, validating the network’s inherent de-hierarchization capacity. Network structure analysis further confirms that this equitable network simultaneously exhibits robust connectivity. The resultant network displays a distinct core–periphery structure with a monocentric-multinuclear radial pattern, forming a four-tier corridor system (core, primary, secondary, and local) that provides an actionable framework for graded protection and targeted interventions. This study advances cultural heritage conservation from passive isolation towards proactive systemic network governance, offering a transferable pathway for the sustainable preservation of heritage in high-density urban environments. Full article

This research examines the structural evolution and functional performance of urban spatial expansion in Changchun, Northeast China. Utilizing an integrated framework of the Adjusted Sprawl Index, Gaussian two-step floating catchment area (Gaussian 2SFCA) accessibility modeling, and XGBoost-SHAP machine learning, the study identifies a decoupled growth pattern where land development and infrastructure construction proceed without a corresponding increase in population density, reflecting a structural-demographic divergence. Empirical results demonstrate that land expansion reached a significant peak between 2015 and 2020, followed by a transition toward morphological equalization and stabilization after 2020. This process manifests as asynchronous urbanism, where the strategic deployment of physical infrastructure frameworks systematically precedes the functional integration of essential social services. The analysis reveals the emergence of localized service-value misalignment clusters in peripheral zones. The phenomenon represents a deviation from the traditional monocentric paradigm toward McCann’s framework of modern urban economics, as high residential valuations are sustained by social capital and institutional expectations despite physical service gaps. Within these clusters, the club realm and private enclosure function as critical forward-looking mechanisms, where the presence of influential groups signals future social and infrastructural investment. A negative interaction effect between property management levels and regional accessibility confirms that these private governance structures effectively substitute for maturing public resources. These findings suggest that future development should prioritize the functional integration of social systems over mere material expansion. Full article

The spatial distribution of immigrants and associated patterns of residential segregation and integration can manifest not only at the metropolitan scale but also at finer micro-spatial resolutions, reflecting the interaction between path dependence and structural reconfiguration. This article examines the micro-spatial residential patterns of Chinese immigrants in Seoul under institutional and market constraints. Using a Spatial Durbin Model and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression, it shows that from 2011 to 2025, immigrant settlements shifted from a monocentric pattern to a polycentric, functionally differentiated, and networked structure. While overall spatial embeddedness is high and segregation remains low, traditional cores such as Guro–Daerim persist. Selective clustering is shaped by path-dependent migrant networks, urban redevelopment policies, and intra-group differentiation, while infrastructure homogenization renders transportation accessibility a background condition. The findings support segmented assimilation theory in high-density East Asian cities and underscore the importance of incorporating immigrant needs into urban policy to promote inclusive integration. Full article

This study investigates the multi-locality and multi-temporal characteristics of mobility destinations in Zanjan, Iran, throughout a typical day. Existing approaches often overlook critical geographical concepts, including the influence of multiple motivational factors on destination choice behavior, the clustering of destinations, and the spatiotemporal dynamics of preferred destinations. To address these gaps, Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) was employed to simulate individual daily flows to preferred destinations. An integrated pattern recognition approach combining machine learning clustering (k-means), hotspot analysis, and 3D mapping was utilized to facilitate visual analytics of individual destination choices, with special emphasis on applications for transportation planning. Four optimal destination clusters were identified, with hotspot analysis revealing a concentration of preferred destinations in Cluster 1, located within the Central Business District (CBD), suggesting a monocentric spatial structure. Temporal analysis demonstrated that destination clusters exhibit dynamic spatial and temporal changes over the course of the day. These findings provide new insights into managing travel behavior and offer practical implications for urban planning and transportation policy regarding individuals’ daily movement strategies. Full article

This study investigates the spatiotemporal evolution and key obstacle factors of urban flood resilience in the Shenyang Metropolitan Area, aiming to inform regional flood resilience planning and management. A comprehensive assessment indicator system was established, integrating natural, economic, social, and infrastructure dimensions to capture the multifaceted nature of flood resilience. The long short-term memory (LSTM) network with an attention mechanism, combined with the obstacle degree model, was employed to analyze resilience trends and diagnose limiting factors from 2001 to 2023. The findings reveal a sustained increase in the regional flood resilience index, rising from 0.255 in 2001 to 0.574 in 2023. Spatially, the resilience pattern evolved from a monocentric core diffusion to a dual-core leadership and multi-city collaborative structure, driven by basin-wide management and differentiated development between mountainous and plain areas. Disparities in resilience levels across cities narrowed over time. At the criterion level, infrastructure was the primary obstacle before 2010, while social factors became increasingly significant thereafter. At the indicator level, the main limiting factors varied among cities and shifted over time, reflecting local development dynamics. These results provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for enhancing urban flood resilience in the Shenyang Metropolitan Area and offer insights applicable to other rapidly urbanizing regions. Full article

This study explores the transformation of Beijing’s metropolitan commuting network resulting from the relief of the non-essential capital functions policy. The aim is to understand how this policy has contributed to the development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. Using China Unicom’s mobile signaling data from 2017 to 2021, we apply complex network analysis to quantify changes in commuting patterns from the perspectives of node importance, link strength, and community structure. The results indicate a shift from a monocentric to a polycentric network (e.g., in-degree centrality in areas outside Beijing increased by 49.5%; global network efficiency rose from 0.66 to 0.69), with peripheral employment centers gaining prominence while central districts lose their dominant position. However, administrative boundaries hinder full regional integration, as only select areas form interconnected clusters. These findings suggest that the policy supports optimized job-housing spatial structures, reduced urban congestion, and improved resource efficiency, contributing to sustainable urban development. The findings highlight the role of enhanced rail transit and governance in further strengthening connectivity and minimizing environmental impacts, while also providing empirical evidence for urban planning strategies aimed at fostering resource-efficient, low-waste metropolitan areas. Full article

Housing markets worldwide have undergone major disruptions during the COVID-19 period, raising questions about how systemic shocks reshape housing preferences and spatial structures. This study develops an integrated spatial framework to examine multi-dimensional housing market restructuring, combining global and local modelling with network-based submarket delineation. Using Shanghai as a case study, we compare pre- and post-pandemic conditions (2019 and 2023) to explore fluctuations in housing prices, shifts in attribute effects, and reconfiguration of submarkets. The results reveal highly differentiated market responses across space. A dual restructuring is observed: decentralisation within the urban core and reinforced integration of outer-peripheral areas into the metropolitan centre, suggesting a gradual transition from a monocentric system towards a more polycentric and context-dependent housing landscape. Methodologically, the study proposes a transferable framework for analysing spatial restructuring under systemic shocks. Empirically, it provides fine-grained evidence of housing market reconfiguration across spatial scales, offering practical insights for spatially informed urban planning and housing market management. Full article

This study leverages multi-source remote sensing data—Nighttime Light (NTL) imagery and POI (Point of Interest) datasets—to quantify the spatiotemporal interaction between urban spatial restructuring and logistics industry evolution in Zhengzhou, China. Using calibrated NPP/VIIRS NTL data (2012–2022) and fine-grained POI data, we (1) identified urban functional spaces through kernel density-based spatial grids weighted by public awareness parameters; (2) extracted built-up areas via the dynamic adaptive threshold segmentation of NTL gradients; (3) analyzed logistics agglomeration dynamics using emerging spatiotemporal hotspot analysis (ESTH) and space–time cube models. The results show that Zhengzhou’s urban form transitioned from a monocentric to a polycentric structure, with NTL trajectories revealing logistics hotspots expanding along air–rail multimodal corridors. POI-derived functional spaces shifted from single-dominant to composite patterns, while ESTH detected policy-driven clusters in Airport Economic Zones and market-driven suburban cold chain hubs. Bivariate LISA confirmed the spatial synergy between logistics growth and urban expansion, validating the “policy–space–industry” interaction framework. This research demonstrates how integrated NTL-POI remote sensing techniques can monitor policy impacts on urban systems, providing a replicable methodology for sustainable logistics planning. Full article

Rapid population aging in developing countries has intensified demand for accessible nursing home services, yet spatial disparities in service distribution remain insufficiently examined in secondary cities. This study investigates spatial distribution and multi-dimensional accessibility of nursing homes in Kunming, China, using comprehensive spatial analytical methods to inform sustainable urban development. We analyzed 205 nursing homes with 47,600 beds, evaluating spatial distribution patterns, economic accessibility, and spatial accessibility across different transportation modes. Our analysis reveals a pronounced monocentric pattern with nursing resources concentrated within central urban districts, creating a “primary core-multiple satellite” structure and spatial mismatch between service supply and older adult population needs. A distinct institutional dichotomy exists between publicly and privately operated facilities, establishing a dual-track system with different accessibility implications for social equity. Economic accessibility analysis demonstrates significant barriers in central urban and tourism-oriented districts dominated by higher-priced private facilities, where minimum prices frequently exceed average monthly pension. Spatial accessibility remains inadequate across all transportation modes, with only 24.3% of communities achieving normal or higher accessibility via private car, 21.5% via public bus, and merely 13.9% via walking. These limitations primarily stem from insufficient service capacity (34 beds per 1000 older adults) relative to demographic needs rather than transportation constraints. We recommend three sustainable interventions: implementing demand-based planning mechanisms, establishing progressive pricing policies, and developing older adult-friendly transportation networks. This framework supports sustainable urbanization by promoting spatial equity and efficient resource allocation, providing valuable insights for secondary cities pursuing sustainable development goals. Full article

As China’s urbanization deepens, the spatial structure of residential areas and land use patterns has undergone profound transformations, with the differentiation of housing prices emerging as a key indicator of urban spatial dynamics and socioeconomic stratification. This study examines the spatial and temporal evolution of residential housing prices in Qingdao’s main urban area over a 20-year period, using data from three representative years (2003, 2013, and 2023) to capture key stages of change. It employs Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) spatial and temporal path and leap analyses, as well as Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) modeling. The results show that Qingdao’s housing price patterns exhibit distinct spatiotemporal heterogeneity, characterized by multi-level transitions, leapfrog dynamics and strong spatial dependence. The urban center and coastal zones demonstrate positive synergistic growth, while some inland and peripheral areas show negative spatial coupling. Evident is the spatial restructuring from a monocentric to a polycentric pattern, driven by shifts in industrial layout, policy incentives, and transportation infrastructure. Key driving factors, such as community attributes, locational conditions, and amenity support, show differentiated impacts across regions and over time. Business agglomeration and educational resources are primary positive drivers in central districts, whereas natural environments and commercial density play a more complex role in peripheral areas. These findings provide empirical evidence to inform our understanding of housing market dynamics and offer insights into urban planning and the design of equitable policies in transitional urban systems. Full article

Prevailing theories and empirical studies have suggested that the internal spatial structures of large cities have transformed from monocentric to polycentric. However, the existing literature primarily focuses on the definition, measurement, and quantity of the urban centers, with a lack of in-depth comparison of urban polycentricity in terms of dynamic centralization or dispersion. By analyzing the spatial distribution of firms in 35 large Chinese cities, this study examines the quantity, centralization degree, and primacy ratio of urban centers to compare spatial structure of the cities and explores the different types of urban polycentricity by employing nonparametric regression methods. The findings indicate that the spatial structures of most cities are polycentric forms, which display three types: emerging polycentricity, centralized polycentricity, and dispersed polycentricity. Further analyses suggest that social and economic factors such as GDP and population size are associated with the typology. Through the comparison of the 35 cities’ spatial structures, this study identifies three types of urban polycentricity and sheds light on the underlying forces of urban spatial restructuring process. Full article

In the context of rapid urbanization, traditional villages in the Weibei Loess Plateau gully region are facing compounded pressures from social structure disruption and physical space reconstruction. It is urgent to deeply analyze the influence mechanism of social relations on spatial adaptability. This study attempts to construct an analytical framework that couples social relationships with village spatial development. With Tangjia Village in the gully region of the Weibei Loess Plateau as an example, the study integrated various data sources such as satellite imagery, interviews, and policy documents. Through social network analysis and an improved cascade failure model, the spatial adaptation processes and characteristics based on changes in kinship, occupational ties, and geographical networks were explored. The findings indicate that (1) before 2001, kinship networks led to the formation of a monocentric settlement structure. From 2001 to 2011, occupational ties fostered the differentiation of industrial and residential zones. After 2011, geographical networks drove the multifunctional integration of space. (2) Clan-based settlement zones (consisting of 80 kinship nodes) and core cultural tourism facilities are key units in maintaining spatial adaptability. The research reveals the impact mechanism of social network fission on spatial function reorganization and proposes adaptive planning strategies, aiming to provide theoretical and practical value for the coordinated governance of society and space in traditional villages. Full article