DYNAMIC MECHANISM OF ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION ADJUSTMENT UNDER THE CONTEXT OF SCALE RESCALING: THE CASE OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE
ZHANG Jian-zuo1,2, LI Gui-cai2, WANG Chao2
1. College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
2. School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University, Shenzhen 518055, China
Abstract From the perspective of scale rescaling, based on the case of Guangdong province, this paper mainly focuses on the periodical characteristics and dynamic mechanism of administrative division adjustments in Guangdong province since reform and opening-up. The key findings are as follows:Administrative division adjustment is one of the important nonflexible tools for scale rescaling; its period, main type and dynamic source are all closely embedded to scale strategy and scale rescaling patterns for promoting competitiveness of nation or region. The power source of first stage is under the lead of central government. Because of reform on the economic institution, local management mechanism issue and the macro urban development strategy in 1980s, the central government need to adjust the local power scale, it promoted rapid increasing of prefecture-level city in the first stage. The power source of second stage turns to decentralization and centralization of central government. But because of some chaotic phenomenon in the application for "upgrade county-level city" and Asian financial crisis in 1997, the central government suspended the new approval on application for "upgrade county-level city" in the latter half of 1990s. The third stage is dominated by provincial government, Guangdong province adjusted the scale strategy and regional development path for enhancing provincial competitiveness in the 21th century, and its consequences are the increasing of municipal districts and decreasing of county-level city and county.
2016, Vol. 31 
