Regional differences of urbanization in China and its driving factors

Regional differences of urbanization in China and its driving factors

After more than 30 years of rapid urbanization, the overall urbanization rate of China reached 56.1% in 2015. However, despite China’s rapid increase in its overall rate of urbanization, clear regional differences can be observed. Furthermore, inadequate research has been devoted to in-depth explora...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science China. Earth sciences Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 778 - 791
Main Authors: Lin, WenQi, Wu, MengHe, Zhang, Yue, Zeng, RongJun, Zheng, XiaoJin, Shao, Lei, Zhao, LuYun, Li, ShaoXing, Tang, Yan
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Beijing Science China Press 01-06-2018
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Driving ability
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Economic models
Exploration
High speed
Low level
Low speed
Quotients
Regression analysis
Regression models
Research Paper
Urbanization
China
Urbanization
Multiple linear regression
Driving factor
Ordered logit
Regional differences
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Summary:After more than 30 years of rapid urbanization, the overall urbanization rate of China reached 56.1% in 2015. However, despite China’s rapid increase in its overall rate of urbanization, clear regional differences can be observed. Furthermore, inadequate research has been devoted to in-depth exploration of the regional differences in China’s urbanization from a national perspective, as well as the internal factors that drive these differences. Using prefecture-level administrative units in China as the main research subject, this study illustrates the regional differences in urbanization by categorizing the divisions into four types based on their urbanization ratio and speed (high level: low speed; high level: high speed; low level: high speed; and low level: low speed). Next, we selected seven economic and geographic indicators and applied an ordered logit model to explore the driving factors of the regional differences in urbanization. A multiple linear regression model was then adopted to analyze the different impacts of these driving factors on regions with different urbanization types. The results showed that the regional differences in urbanization were significantly correlated to per capita GDP, industry location quotients, urban-rural income ratio, and time distance to major centers. In addition, with each type of urbanization, these factors were found to have a different driving effect. Specifically, the driving effect of per capita GDP and industry location quotients presented a marginally decreasing trend, while main road density appeared to have a more significant impact on cities with lower urbanization rates.
ISSN:1674-7313
1869-1897
DOI:10.1007/s11430-016-9163-3