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| GROWTH PATTERNS AND AGGLOMERATION-DIFFUSION CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRAL CITIES IN JIANGSU |
| LI Ping-hua1, LU Yu-qi1, YU Bo2 |
1. College of Geographic Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China;
2. Department of Economy and Trade, Nanjing Institute of Meteorology, Nanjing 210044, China |
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Abstract This research firstly evaluates the centricity of regional central cities in Jiangsu, and identifies the influence region of dominating central cities based on the gravity-model approach. Then, growth patterns and agglomeration-diffusion characteristics of central cities was analyzed through the change of population density functions from 1990 to 2000. It is indicated that population densities in the five regions (Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Xuzhou) decline with distance from the city, similar to western countries; this indicates the diminishing influence of central cities. In addition, areas close to central cities grew faster than remote areas. In detail, there are differences between the north and the south in Jiangsu province on the growth patterns and agglomeration-diffusion characteristics of central cities. For example, Xuzhou, a city in North Jiangsu, its core city has experienced a significant growth, but in its hinterland, slowly growth and stagnancy are processing in this period, the effect of agglomeration is prominent. Therefore, it belongs to the pattern of "core growth-hinterland stagnation". This phenomenon reflects the weak drive power of central cities and the scarcity of big cities in northern Jiangsu. On the other hand, cities in southern Jiangsu, such as capital city Nanjing and Suzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, have central cities with moderate growth which in the process of spreading growth during 1990s, they are accompanied by a similar growth rate in their hinterland. These cities were almost matched by their hinterland. Part of the reason for less centralization is the more active small town development in this region. Also, there is strong power to push the regional economic development of many central cities in southern Jiangsu.
Based on the results summarized above, some advices are put forward in this paper. Taking advantage of transport infrastructure, such as Jinghu highway and Longhai railway, new central cities and growth poles should be fostered to push the regional development in northern Jiangsu, and the construction of small town should be strengthened in this region. Northern Jiangsu will benefit from the construction of Xuzhou-Lianyungang economic corridor and the boom of Huaian. These three cities and economic belt will be the central cities and growth belt that will promote the regional development. All these policies mentioned above will accelerate the formation of city and town network, drive the economic development in rural hinterland, and shorten the disparity between the north and the south of Jiangsu province.
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Received: 24 November 2003
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2005, Vol. 20 
