Objective and Framework for Territorial Development in China

This paper analyzes the present situation of China's territorial development and holds that the spatial framework for socio-economic development can not be naturally extended under the present conditions. Hence it is necessary to strengthen rationally spatial agglomeration. The basic concept and framework for future territorial devel- opment are raised based on the elaboration of factors affecting the territorial development of China.

Distribution characteristics and policy implications of territorial development suitability of the Yangtze River Basin

Territorial development suitability （TDS） distribution and policy implications in the Yangtze River Basin are investigated through the use of statistical and spatial data, using the Delphi method, the analytic hierarchy process method and the comprehensive evaluation model. The distribution pattern and characteristics of TDS in the Yangtze River Basin are studied, providing a scientific basis and a decision-making reference for sustainable development of the whole basin, and promoting reasonable implementation of the Yangtze River economic belt development strategy. The results show that the overall level of development constraint is relatively high, and that high-value regions （grades V-VIII） are mainly distributed in the upper and middle reaches of the basin. The suitable development regions account for 22.95% of the total basin area, mainly including the Yangtze River Delta region, the provincial capitals, the urban agglomerations and most prefecture-level cities. The variation of TDS is significant among the upper, middle and lower reaches of the basin, and the high-value areas account for 8.24%, 35.70% and 82.97% of the total areas of the upper, middle and lower reaches, respectively. Three policy suggestions are proposed： （1） strict control of the basin development intensity, setting up an efficient and well-organized spatial development pattern, （2） implementation of different regional policies according to different functional orientations, and （3） strengthening of communication and cooperation between different regions, thus promoting integrated basin protection and development.

Addressing inclusion,innovation,and sustainability challenges through the lens of economic geography:Introducing the hierarchical regional innovation system

The world is facing dramatic challenges related to environmental sustainability at an accelerating pace.In this context,the field of economic geography(EG)has been playing an important role in understanding both the socioeconomic and technological dimensions of these challenges,as it deals with a variety of complementary notions and perspectives.Departing from this lens,our aim is to explore a conceptual framework that can help us to understand environmental changes relating to multi-dimensional territorial development,notably in eco-nomic contexts where inequality is high,and stratification based on hierarchies regulate social and economic life.Based on the territory concept,we propose the original notion of a hierarchical regional innovation system(HRIS)that emphasises the pervasive role of hierarchies(powers)in regional innovation systems and illustrate its value with evidence and case studies from extant literature on sustainability transitions.The HRIS can help us understand and promote development paths considering the contribution of inclusive eco-innovations(another original conceptual amalgam).Through some empirical cases from other studies in low-carbon transitions,we show the application of the HRIS(and inclusive eco-innovation)framework.In conclusion,we provide incen-tives to explore new regional innovation systems,alongside the HRIS,adapted to different regions worldwide and centred on the inclusiveness of people and places.

1Chinese human geography and its contributions

The aim of this paper is to sift through examples of outstanding contributions made by Chinese human geography in terms of social applications and explain the basic concepts and theoretical methods explored by human geography that are behind the applications of results with major social influence, so as to be able to summarize the main school that represents developments in contemporary Chinese human geography. Chinese human geography upholds the subject＇s designation as being integrated and interdisciplinary. Research focuses on interactions between the natural and human spheres of the Earth＇s surface, and it is guided by the understanding and effects of the processes of regional sustainable development at different spatial scales. Chinese human geography has innovatively established the following development paradigm： ＂To be guided by application requirements, refine key issues of the discipline in the course of solving major issues of human geography in national and regional development, and by solving those key issues, to enhance its ability to provide scientific and technological support to serve national and local needs while promoting its own development.＂ Results from early Chinese human geography studies on land use and agricultural zoning, recent research results on point-axis system models and T-shaped national spatial development patterns, and current research results on territorial function theory and major function oriented zones have all continued and strengthened the mainstream school of Chinese human geography and have avoided the global tendency for human geography to become rapidly human-oriented, while results have been applied at the highest level of decision-making management. Chinese human geography can provide lessons for developing countries and may play a leading role in the future development of global human geography.