The Urbanization Pattern of China in the 21st Century

The 21st century is referred to as a"century for cities" or "era for cities" and China hasalso speeded up its process of urbanization. It is veryimportant to choose a scientific urbanization patternto exert the function of cities and realize our dreamfor China to become a powerful modernized country.It’s concluded from history since 1800 that the patternof the world urbanization has transformed from"extensive" to "intensive". However, it is still anextensive pattern in China, and there are manyproblems behind the splendid achievements, reflectedon the urbanization process of our country since1949. Today, sustainable development and theknowledge economy are the themes of the cities; itis inevitable to change our urbanization pattern.Based on the dialectic relationship of quality andquantity, the article points out that urbanizationshould not only focus on quantity but also on qualityin China. High quality and multiform urbanizationpattern is an inevitable choice of China, and thedevelopment of the region can also be exalted by theradiation of the cities. But what’s the real meaningof the new pattern? What’s its difference from thewestern countries’? The article discusses its contentaccording to the reality of China.

Exploring Temporal Activity Patterns of Urban Areas Using Aggregated Network-driven Mobile Phone Data:A Case Study of Wuhu,China

The increasing availability of data in the urban context(e.g.,mobile phone,smart card and social media data)allows us to study urban dynamics at much finer temporal resolutions(e.g.,diurnal urban dynamics).Mobile phone data,for instance,are found to be a useful data source for extracting diurnal human mobility patterns and for understanding urban dynamics.While previous studies often use call detail record(CDR)data,this study deploys aggregated network-driven mobile phone data that may reveal human mobility patterns more comprehensively and can mitigate some of the privacy concerns raised by mobile phone data usage.We first propose an analytical framework for characterizing and classifying urban areas based on their temporal activity patterns extracted from mobile phone data.Specifically,urban areas’diurnal spatiotemporal signatures of human mobility patterns are obtained through longitudinal mobile phone data.Urban areas are then classified based on the obtained signatures.The classification provides insights into city planning and development.Using the proposed framework,a case study was implemented in the city of Wuhu,China to understand its urban dynamics.The empirical study suggests that human activities in the city of Wuhu are highly concentrated at the Traffic Analysis Zone(TAZ)level.This large portion of local activities suggests that development and planning strategies that are different from those used by metropolitan Chinese cities should be applied in the city of Wuhu.This article concludes with discussions on several common challenges associated with using network-driven mobile phone data,which should be addressed in future studies.

Empirical Analysis on Urbanization Patterns in Zhejiang Province Based on Spatial Economy and GIS

Regional core cities are the growth poles for regional economic development, thus the issue about efficient urbanization pattern has always become a hot spot among researchers and policy makers. The Spatial Economy can be employed to improve it. Nevertheless, there actually exists an obvious gap between its theoretical models and the empirical simulation. To do so, this paper modifies the measurement of initial geographical advantages Stelder gave, and implements the empirical analyses of urban distribution in Zhejiang during the period of 1980-1990 by means of computer simulations in GIS environment. There are several interesting results achieved in this process. Firstly, given the values of parameters （transport cost is r, substitution elasticity of manufacturing sector p, and income share of spending on manufacture δ）, initial geographical advantages have the different impacts on urban systems, namely, urban locations, numbers and sizes over time across space. Secondly, the cities were distributed without any overlay in geographical space, which makes the patterns of urbanization generate the largest possible economic efficiencies. Thirdly, the urban systems-the location, number and size of Cities-from the simulation of the study area are suitable for the actual social and economic situations in the real world during the testing periods. Such results may have substantial implications for the policy how to choose the way of urbanization in a region.

Landscape Pattern Analysis of International Livable Communities Based on Satellite Images of Wenjiang District, Chengdu City

This paper used Google Earth satellite maps of Wenjiang District, Chengdu City in 2008, 2012 and 2015 as basic data sources, and field investigation data in recent years, and employed Photoshop and Auto CAD to analyze landscape pattern of urban and suburban areas of Wenjiang District—the international livable communities. The results showed that urban forest patches accounted for the absolute dominance in the study area, the overall landscape fragmentation index in 2008 was 0.0054, landscape diversity index 1.3603, landscape dominance index 0.2937, and evenness index 0.8452. From 2008 to 2012, patch density index reduced by 7.04, landscape fragmentation index increased by 0.0014, diversity index reduced by 0.043, evenness index reduced by 0.0269, landscape dominance index increased by 0.0027. From 2012 to 2015, patch density index increased by 1.22, landscape fragmentation index kept stable, diversity index reduced by 0.024, evenness index reduced by 0.0149, landscape dominance index increased by 0.0196. Through analyzing quantitative indexes of urban landscape pattern, and exploring basic features of the international livable communities from the perspective of landscape eco-pattern, this paper put forward suggestions for city management and green space system protection of Wenjiang as the references for the future researches on maintenance and operation of landscape eco-pattern.

Evolution Process of Urban Spatial Pattern in Hubei Province Based on DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data

This paper intends to investigate the urban spatial patterns of Hubei Province and its evolution from three different perspectives: urban nodes, urban connections and urban clusters. The research adopts nighttime light imagery of cities in Hubei Province, the viewpoint of ′point-axis-area′ in the ′point-axis system′ theory, and employs light index model, gravity model and social network analysis. The findings are as follows: 1) In terms of urban nodes, the urbanization process of Hubei has been carried out mainly on the basis of external expansion rather than internal increasing. The polarization trend of urban connection network is strengthening. 2) As for urban connections, the estimation of urban connections using light index model is capable of containing various actual flow, and the connections are getting increasingly closer. 3) In regard to urban groups, seven urban groups of varying sizes have formed. On that basis, three stable and relatively independent urban groups as the centers, namely Wuchang, Yichang and Xiangyang emerge as well. But the structures of ′Wuhan Metropolitan Area′, ′Yichang-Jingzhou-Jingmen City Group′ and ′Xiangyang-Shiyen-Suizhou City Group′, which are defined by local development strategy in Hubei Province, are different from the above three urban groups.

A Study on Spatial Distribution of Commercial Housing Prices in Xiangtan City

ArcGIS technology is used to study the spatial pattern of housing prices in Xiangtan City,and it is found that the spatial pattern of housing prices shows primary and secondary two-center rings. In Hedong Jianshe Road and near Hexi Jijianying,there are primary and secondary polar nuclei,respectively; the secondary housing price area is located near the east-west and south-north trunk road in the urban area; there are significant regional differences in housing price changes( fastest reduction of prices in the Hedong main center-southwest direction; slow reduction of prices in the main center-northwest,southeast direction; slowest reduction of prices in the main center-northeast direction). In Hexi sub-center,except slow reduction of prices in the Xiangjiang River direction,the prices decline rapidly in other directions. The housing prices exhibit an obvious overall decreasing trend from primary and secondary centers to the suburbs,but there are also exceptions. On this basis,this paper analyzes the driving factors for spatial pattern of housing prices in Xiangtan City,and finds that the spatial pattern of housing prices is mainly influenced by commercial centers,residential environmental conditions,traffic conditions,and urban land layout differences.

Research on Ecological Space Planning Oriented Urban River Landscape Planning

Based on the generalized landscape perspective, regional connotation of urban river landscape is expanded. The area connotation of urban river landscape is expanded based on the generalized landscape perspective. In addition to natural and functional attributes, river landscape should be regarded as a regional space element based on heterogeneous space scale. First, as for research method system, the space research models(including ecological footprint, space planning, and landscape pattern index, etc.) coupled with different angle scales and interdisciplinary theory, are utilized to study different correlations and results formed by urban river landscape elements and other regional space elements from the perspective of the regional ecological space, and the overall development goal of the urban river landscape pattern based on the goals of the regional ecological space planning is obtained. Second, the oriented urban river landscape planning and the "M" type close-tonature design strategy are evaluated through the city function zoning orientation and micro-scale urban river landscape pattern index. The research realizes the compatibility of overall goals in terms of the regional ecology, the development of urban functional areas, and the river landscape planning, without losing micro difference and maneuverability based on the urban river landscape planning and design oriented strategy, which innovates the new approach of urban river landscape planning and design with sustainable and balanced development of regional resources, multi-scale, and multiple objectives.

Sustainable Intervention Plans for Igbo Cultural Region of Nigeria

The Igbos are one of the major tribes of Nigeria. Over the years, their distinct way of living have further accentuated their culture. The paper discusses the Igbo cultural landscape region which comprises of rural autonomous communities made up of clusters of kindred and villages. In spite of the existence of the townships serving as trade, political and administrative centers for more than one century, the rate of urbanization has been very slow thereby affecting the development of the communities physically, economically and socially at astonishing rates consuming farmlands and traditional community boundaries. This paper is aimed at creating awareness on the unique regional growth pattern in Igbo land heavily dependent on cultural and natural heritages for purpose of determining adaptable regional planning strategies for such vibrant cultural region. It has examined the key issues and suggested a way forward to a more sustainable development of the region.

Urban traffic modeling and pattern detection using online map vendors and self-organizing maps

Typical traffic modeling approaches,such as network-based methods and simulation models,have been shown inadequate for urban-scale studies due to the fidelity issue of models.As a go-around,data-driven models have received increasing attention recently.However,most data-driven methods have been restricted by their data source and cannot be scaled up to manage urban-and regional-scale studies.Regarding this issue,this research proposes a pipeline that collects traffic data from online map vendors to bypass data limitations for large-scale studies.The study consists of two experiments:1)recognizing the dominant traffic patterns of cities and 2)site-specific predictions of typical traffic or the most probable locations of patterns of interests.The experiments were conducted on 32 Swiss cities using traffic data that were collected for a two-month period.The results show that dominant patterns can be extracted from the temporal traffic data,and similar patterns exist not only in various parts of a city but also in different cities.Moreover,the results reveal that a country-level lockdown decreased traffic congestions in regional highways but increased those connections near the city centers and the country borders.

BCL Leads New Pattern of Urban Development in Beijing and Tianjin

Beijing Capital Land Ltd.(BCL)is one of the leading integrated property operators in China, being listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong on June 19,2003(HKExstockcode:2868).Itscom-prehensive capabilities have placed it in the top rank of China’s property industry.

Urban growth dynamics and expansion forms in 11 Tanzanian cities from 1990 to 2020

With rapid urban expansion across Tanzania,there is a need to institute steps to address factors and forms as well as impacts and challenges associated with the observed trend.This study’s aim is to use spatial urban landscape indices to analyze the spatial changes in urban forms,patterns,and rates across 11 urban centers in Tanzania over a 30-year study period(1990–2020).During the past three decades,urban lands of 11 cities and town in Tanzania have grown by a total of 480 km2.Leapfrog growth was found as the most dominant form of urban expansion in Tanzania while Dodoma,the capital city of Tanzania,had the highest rate of urban expansion when compared to all other individual cities.The most robust and significant interaction of the AWMLEI and MLEI was found in Kigoma,Arusha,Mtwara,Mafinga,and Tunduma cities.In contrast,Mbeya agricultural city,Arusha the tourist city,Tabora,and Geita Lake zone areas did show their own peculiarities revealing an interesting spatial temporal variation in rate and form of expansion.The outcome of this study reveals that the influence and management of economic and socio-cultural opportunities will be an effective tool for the determination of the rapidly expanding cities and towns of Tanzania.

A high-precision heuristic model to detect home and work locations from smart card data

Smart card-automated fare collection systems now routinely record large volumes of data comprising the origins and destinations of travelers.Processing and analyzing these data open new opportunities in urban modeling and travel behavior research.This study seeks to develop an accurate framework for the study of urban mobility from smart card data by developing a heuristic primary location model to identify the home and work locations.The model uses journey counts as an indicator of usage regularity,visit-frequency to identify activity locations for regular commuters,and stay-time for the classification of work and home locations and activities.London is taken as a case study,and the model results were validated against survey data from the London Travel Demand Survey and volunteer survey.Results demonstrate that the proposed model is able to detect meaningful home and work places with high precision.This study offers a new and cost-effective approach to travel behavior and demand research.

Study on Forecast Scenarios for Simulation of Future Urban Growth in Shenyang City Based on SLEUTH Model

The SLEUTH urban growth model was used to simulate future urban growth patterns and to explore potential environ-mental impacts of urban development under different conditions of development in Shenyang City, China. The SLEUTH model was calibrated with historical data (1988-2004) extracted from a time series of TM satellite images, and the future growth was pro-jected out to 2030 assuming three different policy scenarios: (1) current trends scenario (Scenario CT), (2) regional policy and ur-ban planning scenario (Scenario PP), and (3) environmental protection scenario (Scenario EP). Scenario analysis showed that urban growth would accelerate under all policy scenarios with significant differences in development pattern and sustainability after 2016. Urban development under Scenario CT would lead to substantial loss of resource lands than that under the other two scenarios, and the urban landscape pattern would be increasingly complex and dispersed. In contrast, urban growth under scenario PP and EP would consume less natural resource land and show a relatively compact urban development pattern during the prediction period. This study suggested that it is crucial to take stringent urban planning and management measures to control future urban growth and to protect primary farmland and the support system of urban ecology in Shenyang City. The SLEUTH model is a useful planning tool to guide sustainable utilization of urban land resources to a certain extent.