Research on newly urbanized towns and districts in China

Since the last decade the central government endeavors to promote large scale of urbanization in China. Lots of new urban towns and districts are taking shape. Outline of the 12th Five-year Plan released by the central government points out that the new towns and districts are to be regulated. But few researches are considering the new towns and districts especially in the spatial distributive pattern and status in China. Given this situation this paper, after sorting out the world-wide research and development of new urban towns and districts, gives definitions of broad and narrow meanings. Based on the broad meaning definition, the database of new towns and districts in China is established. This paper then conducts a preliminary analysis of the new towns and districts. Then the two-step work plan and the advices are also proposed to further improve the research and practice of its kind in China.     

Evolution assessment of china’s three mega-city regions based on entire-array-polygon method

Mega-city region is the mainstream of global urban development and also the dominant model of the neo urbanization process in China. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, Yangtze River Delta area and Pearl River Delta area are China＇s three largest and most mature mega-city regions, the status of which represents the general level of the urban and regional development in China. Based on entire-array-polygon method, this paper makes a comprehensive evolution assessment of the three mega-city regions in terms of urban population index, urban economy index, urban life index, urban culture index and urban primacy index. In terms of general developing level, the three mega-city regions have progressed to optimize the structure. With their respective advantages and disadvantages, the three mega-city regions initially realize a ＂diversified＂ regional layout. The difference and gap among the three mega-city regions are obviously decreasing, which contributes to the regional balance of China metropolitan development. The rankings of the three mega-city regions will be in a continuous adjustment. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area is possible to catch up and take the lead.