Urbanization of county in China:Spatial patterns and influencing factors

This paper uses the fifth and sixth census data and 2018 demographic statistics to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of the urbanization of county in China and the factors that influence the evolution.The paper reveals that the urbanization level of counties is a weak area in China’s overall urbanization.During the period from 2000 to 2010,the spatial patterns of the urbanization level of counties remained stable.Counties with high-level urbanization were concentrated in the coastal areas of the eastern region,while counties that experienced rapid urbanization were mainly located in the central and western regions.Regression analyses indicate that harsh natural endowments that constrain economic development are the most important factors that hinder the urbanization of county;these factors include marginalized locations far away from center cities,high altitudes,and a population with a low education level.This paper also compares two theoretical modes of new-type urbanization,nearby urbanization and remote urbanization,and argues that the new-type urbanization of county is the main form of nearby urbanization and provides an example of urbanization for developing countries worldwide.

Population evolution at the prefecture-level city scale in China:Change patterns and spatial correlations

China has entered a new stage of high-quality urbanization.Therefore,it is critical to grasp the latest population distribution and dynamics.Using mean-variance grading,Moran’s index,and the Theil index,this study compared the differences in population changes between 2010–2020 and 2000–2010 at the prefecture-level city scale based on census data to analyze the new trends in population evolution.We found that:(1)New growth poles of the population are inland provincial capitals,forming rapid-growing zones together with coastal urban agglomerations.Population growth in over 60%of the cities in the northern coastal urban agglomeration has slowed.(2)The scope of population loss in inland areas is constantly expanding.In the northeastern part of China,92.7%of the cities have lost population,making this a typical population loss area.(3)Population shrinkage in the northeastern region and growth in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration show diffusion characteristics,while population patterns around the provincial capital are in a polarized stage.(4)The Theil index of population distribution increased,with 83.91%of differences coming from between groups,indicating that the gap between cities of different sizes has further expanded.This study provides scientific support for the coordinated promotion of nearby and remote urbanization.