Population Distribution and Spatial Structure in Transitional Chinese Cities: A Study of Nanjing

Abstract

Two geographers use population surface model techniques to analyze the distribution of population in Chinese cities. Focusing on Nanjing, they utilize detailed urban land use and building distribution data to develop a productive alternative method to reveal spatial variations in the distribution of inhabitants. The findings indicate that despite suburbanization, Nanjing remains a compact city with a population density that declines rapidly as distance from its central business district increases. Also, suburbanization has been limited to an inner area where population is densely distributed while commercial and office development is less prominent. Lastly, commercial activities influence the distribution of urban inhabitants and suburbanization more significantly than industrial development in suburbia. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O15, O18, R12, R14. 9 figures, 3 tables, 37 references.

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.2747/1538-7216.47.5.585

Keywords

urban population, population density, surface models, land use, GIS, suburbanization, Nanjing, China

Publication Date

2006

Journal Title

Eurasian Geography and Economics

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