Urban System of China -- History. Present Status. Prospects

Author: Gu Chaolin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1992-05-01
Features: The theoretical methods studied in this book are based on extensively absorbing and fully utilizing domestic and international research achievements. It strives to apply the basic principles of historical materialism, comprehensively and systematically researching the origins of Chinese cities, the emergence and development of the Chinese urban system, the organizational structure of the modern Chinese urban system—regional spatial structure, hierarchical scale structure, functional combination structure, and network system structure. It also examines the further development conditions of the Chinese urban system, the impact of urbanization level, urban population growth, national regional development, etc., on the development of the Chinese urban system. On this basis, it scientifically outlines the future characteristics of the development of the Chinese urban system. It can be said that this is a scientific work with a rigorous structure, clear levels, detailed content, sufficient evidence, and clear viewpoints. It offers valuable scientific discussions on several key issues, demonstrating a high academic level. In summary, this book has the following key points:
About the origins of Chinese cities. The author extensively utilizes necessary and rich historical materials, applying Marxist theoretical methods to argue that the origins of Chinese cities are a historical process. Based on this, the author firmly believes that early Chinese cities originated in the capitals of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, took initial shape in the Xia Dynasty, and were fully formed in the Shang Dynasty.
About the emergence of the Chinese urban system. When did the Chinese urban system actually emerge? This has long been an unresolved question for urban scholars both domestically and internationally. The author clearly proposes the view that the Chinese urban system emerged during the historical period of the transition from the slave society of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States to the feudal society by establishing three essential relationships among cities: geographical proximity, functional complementarity, and scale hierarchy.
About the developmental process of the Chinese urban system. Based on fully utilizing research findings from various fields such as China's economic history, urban construction history, and historical geography, as well as extensive literature accumulation, the author scientifically divides the development process of the Chinese urban system into different periods according to historical political changes and the evolution of productivity and economic development. It also conducts detailed research on the organizational structural characteristics of the urban system in each period, establishing a new theoretical framework for systematically studying urban development in China.
About the development and current characteristics of the urban system in New China. The author fully utilizes systematic urban statistical data since the founding of the country, comparing the development of the urban system in New China with that of ancient and modern China to summarize its characteristics. Additionally, based on national urban and town statistics from 1985 and employing computer analysis methods, the author conducts a comprehensive and systematic study of the four structural characteristics of the modern Chinese urban system, proposing the idea of developing the urban system in China according to local conditions and regional development.
About the development forecast of the Chinese urban system. The author primarily focuses on three aspects: the analysis of new urban development, the forecast of urban population growth, and the organization of urban economic zones. It systematically forecasts the development of new cities in China by 2050 and 2100. Through the analysis of factors influencing urbanization in China, the author establishes forecast models for urban population and urban hierarchical systems. Starting from the rational organization of China's urban economic zones, it conducts preliminary research on the development strategy and organizational structural characteristics of the Chinese urban system in the 21st century.
This book is currently the first monograph in China to comprehensively and systematically discuss and research the formation, development, current state, and future of the Chinese urban system from multiple perspectives, including urban geography, urban planning, urban economics, urban history, and territorial planning. It represents a welcome achievement in urban geography research. It is believed that the publication of this book will have certain reference and application value for formulating regional development strategies in China, spatial layout of productivity and macro-control, as well as territorial resource utilization and urban master planning.