Township Classification and the Sphere of Influence Based on Voronoi Diagram——A Case of Bijie City

Supported by research available of township system and influential sphere, the research is conducted based on towns in Bijie City, as per Voronoi diagram and breaking point theory. In the research, Shixi Office dominated as the highest center and Salaxi Town and Haizijie Town were sub-centers, supplemented by Yachi Town, Zhuchang Town, Yangjiawan Town, Qingchang Town, Heguantun Town, Qingshuipu Town, Yanzikou Town and Longchangying Town. Hence, township system and influ- ential sphere were determined and related methods and technologies were explored.

Field Modeling Method for Identifying Urban Sphere of Influence:A Case Study on Central China

With rapid development of urbanization and regional interaction and interdependence, regional urban agglomeration planning becomes more and more important in China, in order to promote integrated development of various cities with close interrelationship. However, it is still arguable academically on how to define the boundary or which cities to be included for the urban agglomeration of a region. This paper aims to shed lights on how to identify urban spheres of influence scientifically by introducing field modeling method and by practicing a case study on 168 cities in Central China. In our field modeling method, the influence intensities of cities were measured by a compre-ensive index and urban spheres of influence were represented spatially by field intensity. Then, their classification and spatial distribution characteristics of study area in 2007 were identified and explored by using GIS and statistical methods. The result showed that： 1） Wuhan is the absolute dominant city in Central China; 2） the provincial capital cities dominate their own provinces and there are no other lower grade agglomeration centers; and 3） the basic types of organization form of urban sphere of influence are single-polar type, agglomeration type, close-related group type and loose-related group type.

Research on urban spheres of influence based on improved field model in central China

Due to unique advantages in clearly understanding the interrelationship between city and its hinterland, as well as city and city, the study of urban spheres of influence is becoming highlight in regional research. This paper improves traditional field model from two aspects： the composite indicator and regional accessibility, in order to delineate urban spheres of influence more reasonably. Taking three years of central China as a case study, this paper investigates dynamic evolution of urban spheres of influence. Focusing on the evolution of spatial pattern, we abstract five types and its corresponding three stages theoretically. Finally, recommendation of development has been made for each stage. This study undertakes certain exploration in the study of urban spheres of influence from the perspective of theory and practice, hoping to provide some references for the study in this field and other regional research.

NATO and Russia＇s Security Dilemma Within the European Union＇s Far Neighbors

This paper presents a viewpoint for NATO and Russia＇s security dilemma by analyzing what happened in Georgia, Ukraine, Libya and Syria. At the end of the Cold War re-building of NATO, inheriting Missile defense System by the US government and Russia＇s growing concern regarding NATO＇s eastward expansion made clear that Russia will not abandon her sphere of influence. Thus, the main objective of this study is to analyze the questions of what is the motivation behind NATO＇s new strategy. This will be followed by another question NATO and EU enlargement will push Russia in what direction. The hypothesis of the study is that NATO＇s strategy of taking position in the areas where identified as Russia＇s backyard and sphere of influence is considered as ＂casus belli＂ by Russia. Therefore, Russia, despite NATO＇s involvement in the specified area, will not abandon these areas and will continue to use her energy resources and geopolitical advantages as a coercion, especially against NATO members among EU countries.