Study on the Spatial Pattern Changes of Land Use Based on Fractal Dimensions in Tianjin New Coastal Area

[Objective] The aim was to discuss the spatial pattern changes of land use in Tianjin new coastal area based on fractal dimensions.[Method] By dint of remote and geographic information system technology to obtain the data of urban land use in new coastal area from 1993 to 2008,the boundary dimension,radius dimension and information dimension of each land use type were calculated based on fractal dimension.In addition,the revealed land use spatial dimension changes characteristics were analyzed.[Result] The spatial distribution of each land use type in new costal area had distinct fractal characteristics.And,the amount and changes of three types of dimension values effectively revealed the changes of complicatedness,centeredness and evenness of spatial pattern of land use in the study area.The boundary dimension of unused land and salty earth increased incessantly,which suggested its increasing complicatedness.The boundary of the port and wharf and shoal land was getting simpler.The radius dimension of the cultivated land was larger than 2,which suggested that its area spread from center to the surroundings;the one in salty land and waters distributed evenly within different radius space to the center of the city;the one in other land use types reduced gradually from center to the surroundings.The information dimension value in the woodland and orchard land,unused land and shoal land was small,and was in obvious concentrated distribution;the spatial distribution of cultivated and salty land concentrated in the outside area;the construction area in the port and wharf spread gradually on the basis of original state;the spatial distribution of waters and residents and mines were even.[Conclusion] Applying fractal dimensions to the study of spatial pattern changes of urban land use can make up for some disadvantages in classical urban spatial pattern quantitative research,which has favorable practical value.

全球超大城市空间扩张及分形特征

Megacities serve as global centers for economic,cultural,and high-tech industries.The structural features and population agglomerations are typical traits of urbanization,yet little is known about the morphological features and expansion patterns of megacities worldwide.Here we examined the spatiotemporal variations of urban land in megalopolises from 2000 to 2020 using the Urban Expansion Intensity Differentiation Index.The fractal features and expansion patterns of megacities were analyzed using the Area-Radius Multi-dimensional Scaling Model.Urban land use efficiency was then evaluated based on the linear relationship between urban land area and population.We found that Southeast Asia and China were the hotspots of urban expansion in megacities from 2000 to 2020,with urban land areas expanding by 3148.32 km^(2)and 5996.26 km^(2),respectively.The morphological features and expansion patterns of megacities exhibited a growing trend towards intensification and compactness,with the average radial dimension increasing from 1.54 to 1.56.The annual decrease in fractal dimensions indicated the integration of inner urban areas.North America and Europe megacities showed a low urban land use efficiency,with a ratio of urban land area to population ranging from 0.89 to 4.11 in 2020.Conversely,South Asia and Africa megacities exhibited a high urban land use efficiency,with the ratios between 0.23 and 0.87.Our results provide information for promoting efficient urban land utilization and sustainable cities.It is proposed to control the scale of urban expansion and to promote balanced development between inner and outer urban areas for achieving resilient and sustainable urban development.