Measuring Polycentric Urban Development in China: An Intercity Transportation Network Perspective

Abstract

Liu X., Derudder B. and Wu K. Measuring polycentric urban development in China: an intercity transportation network perspective, Regional Studies. This paper measures polycentric development in 22 urban regions in China by analysing intercity transportation networks. A typology of Chinese urban regions is identified based on individual regions’ functionally and morphologically polycentricity. Three major sets of processes underlying the typology are discerned: the (mis)match between (governmentally) designated and economically integrated urban regions; unequal interregional economic development; and the impact of city-regional plans and policies. Urban regions along the east coast reach high levels of morphological and functional polycentricity. Many planned urban regions are morphologically polycentric, lacking functional integration. Most urban regions in western China lack any form of polycentricity.