Characteristics of Urban Expansion in the Yangtze River Delta in a High Economics Growth Period: A Comparison Between Wuxi and Kunshan in Metropolitan Fringe of Shanghai

Abstract

In this thesis, the comparison of Wuxi and Kunshan is studied for horizontal relation and commonality and heterogeneity of urban expansion patterns. To be more specific, regional and interannual characteristics of the entire Wuxi and Kunshan area are classified through a cross functional comparison and each characteristic of the new city and development zone types are further emphasized. First, it is quantitatively analyzed by dividing it into four time periods and four quadrants to see how development focusing on housing and industry are reflected into land. Next, suburban areas are extracted from the entire city area, its expansion process is revealed, and then the land use change is quantitatively elucidated based on the composition ratio of water area, agricultural and forest sites, and land for urban use. The background producing heterogeneity is analyzed with statistical data and the peculiarities of both cities are also sought. Furthermore, common characteristics between both cities and the background of common social systems and economic development are extracted.

Notes

• 1. According to a report by China, the central ratio in April 20, 2010, urbanization ratio in china in 2009 reached 47 %. However, it includes many rural migrant workers. The urbanization ratio excluding rural migrant workers is estimated to be approximately 33 %. The contribution ratio of the second industry as part of GDP is 46.8 %. Based on JF Daily in April 20, 2010, Dr. Zuo Xuejin, Executive Vice-President of Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences describes that the characteristic of urbanization in China is the low level of urbanization.

• 2. Refer to my book “Regional Reorganization of Rural Villages on the Fringe of Urban Zone in China—the Case of Adjacent Area to Development Zone in Kunshan, Jiangsu” for suburban zone in urban city.

• 3. According to “The Urban Blue Book: The China Urban Development Report No.3” publicized by the Institute of Urban Development and Environment, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Social Science Academic Press in Beijing in July 29, 2010, China will enter a new transition stage where urbanization and urban development will be overlapped during the period of “125 (the 12th 5 year plan: 2011–2015)” in China and it is estimated that the urbanization ratio will increase by the annual average of 0.8–1.0 point, and reach around 52 % by 2015 and 65 % by 2030. The change which has the meaning of milestones in urban economic growth is defined as the situation where the urbanization ratio increases and reaches 50 % and the urban population exceeds the rural population. The urban economy will further reinforce its subjective position in the national economy after each population ratio of urban area and rural village is reversed.

• 4. Are currently in progress.

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