Polycentric Urban Development: The Case of Hangzhou

• DOI: 10.1068/a42116
• Publication Date: 2010-03-16T12:53:21Z
• Authors: Wenze Yue; Yong Liu; Peilei Fan
• Keywords: Polycentricity; Infill

Despite the advantages of polycentric structure and its rich literature drawn from cities in industialized countries, little attention has been paid to study urban development developing countries based on land-use information. With Hangzhou used as a case study, authors investigate through an analysis directions expansion, urban–rural gradients, growth types. The multidisciplinary methodology employed, theories methods remote sensing, geographic information systems, landscape ecology, proved be useful morphological development. It was found that expanded different at various speeds, shifting pattern radial expansion. Along main transportation corridors, values mean patch sizes patches displayed multiple peaks, landscape-shape index maintained horizontal trend fringes, reflecting formation polycentricity. Further, edge spontaneous accounted for 40%–50% 30–40% growth, respectively, infill responsible only small proportion it is suggested dispersed have increasingly agglomerated into big ones, especially along road corridors. Hangzhou's shaped both by planning efforts government market forces. municipal guided drafting revising master plans, annexing nearby districts, establishing zones. Nevertheless, forces played important role implementation land market, inflow migrant workers, relocation industries.