A FRACTAL STUDY ON THE SCALE STRUCTURE OF THE URBAN SYSTEMS IN LONGDONG REGION
LI Zhi-gang1, TANG Xiang-long2, LI Bin2
1. School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China;
2. College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China
Abstract The fractal study on the urban systems is a new way for the study of the city geography. This paper commences with the application of the fractal theory on study of urban system. Based on the fractal dimension of Hausdorff, the fractal dimension of the scale structure was calculated with Zipf rule in LongDong region of Gansu province. It was found this region's urban systems have the fractal properties. And it also showed that fractal theory fits the calculation and analysis on the scale structure of urban system in LongDong region.
According to the fractal properties, the paper analyzing the distributional characteristic and existent problems of the scale structure of urban system:①The scale of First Rank urban wasn't conspicuous in Longdong region's urban systems.
It lacks the strength on economic promotion and functional effect. Therefore, it is important to take fractal theory into consideration when designing the scale structure of urban system in Longdong area; ②The distribution of Middle Rank urban was too densely to develop the Second Rank urban. The distribution of population appears balance developmental situation. So taking the relative advantages of location and economy, the government should put more emphasis on constructing central cities of the region, such as Pingliang city and Qingyang city. At the same time, some mineral cities as Qingcheng county and Huating county should also be paid more attention to; ③The construction of urban system lacked the development of spatial scale structure among correlative urban systems. The government should pay more attention to the mutual connection between the region and other neighborhood regions, enhance the development of spatial structure of township system in order to perfect the structural and economic function of township system in Longdong regions.
On the basis of calculating and analyzing the scale structure of urban system with fractal theory, the paper puts forward some advices else for optimizing the structure and function of the urban systems of the LongDong region, such as developing sub central cities and creating more jobs to draw surplus labor forces into cities etc.
2004, Vol. 19 
