Author：YANG Junyan; ZHANG Xun; YANG Qingxin; HUANG Yuyue; ZHAO Wenjia
ABSTRACT: Urban-Rural Planning is a discipline dedicated to addressing real problems in urban and rural development through scientific theories and practical experience. It is also a core discipline of strategic significance in the process of new urbanization. This paper traces the origins of planning as an academic discipline and examines its technical and methodological development over the past century. Based on three major datasets − Chinese core journals, key SCI-indexed journals, and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) funded projects in the past decade, the paper identifies current research priorities and emerging trends in the discipline and develops a “disciplinary topographic map” to visualize the overall development pattern of Urban-Rural Planning. Finally, it proposes key directions and strategic suggestions for advancing the discipline in four dimensions: aligning with national strategies, enhancing public well-being, preserving historic and cultural heritage, and pioneering cutting-edge innovations.
KEYWORDS: Urban-Rural Planning; disciplinary topographic map; NSFC
♦ MODULAR TEACHING EXPLORATION IN URBAN GEOGRAPHY FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND THOUGHT CONTRIBUTION OF GEOGRAPHY-BACKGROUND INSTITUTES TO PLANNING DISCIPLINE
Author：SHEN Mingrui; ZHOU Wenchang; HUANG Chunxiao; CUI Gonghao; LUO Zhendong; ZHANG Jingxiang
ABSTRACT: Urban Geography is a pioneering theoretical discipline in the application of planning and design from a comprehensive and macro perspective in institutes with a geographic background. This course has been widely incorporated into the curricula of planning institutes across China, addressing the need for theoretical thinking competencies in urban-rural planning practice. In response to the dual challenges of “over-theorization of engineering” and “knowledge hollowing” faced by undergraduate planning education, the curriculum reform aims to establish an application-oriented knowledge system, with a particular emphasis on strengthening students’ geographical thinking and their cognitive, analytical, and research capabilities regarding urban and rural issues. The curriculum design follows the theoretical framework of “urbanization-urban structure-urban system” developed through the indigenization of Urban Geography in China. It covers the cultivation of competencies in scientific and rigorous conceptual cognition, rational analytical thinking of urban systems, and holistic perspectives on urban-regional interconnections. The reform intends to integrate a theoretical module focused on “urban-rural regional cognition, analysis, and research abilities” and a practical component focused on “urban issue investigation” into the teaching process.
KEYWORDS: Urban Geography; modularity; teaching method; planning application; planning history
♦ CHARACTERISTICS AND EVOLUTION OF CHINESE CITY FUNCTIONS FROM 2000 TO 2020
Author：CAO Guangzhong; PENG Rongxi; LIU Tao
ABSTRACT: Employing the data from the fifth, sixth, and seventh national censuses in China, this paper identifies and classifies the functional types of Chinese cities at or above the prefecture level, analyzes the functional structure and spatial characteristics of these cities, and investigates their evolution from 2000 to 2020. The findings reveal that, contrary to the shift in the economy from a secondary-industry-dominated structure to the one led by the tertiary industry, the functional structure of Chinese cities did not undergo a corresponding transition during the same period. Meanwhile, cities of different functional types exhibit differentiated spatial patterns. Cities featuring advanced services were predominantly national and regional central cities from 2000 to 2010, and this pattern remained unchanged; manufacturing-featured cities continued to concentrate in the eastern coastal regions; the distribution of construction-focused cities gradually shifted from the eastern regions to the western regions; resource- and energy-based cities displayed a growing concentration in northern regions over southern ones; cities featuring administrative and public utility concentrated more towards the western regions. In addition, the results also indicate that, since the 21st century, globalization, urbanization, industrial relocation, marketization, and national development strategies have become major driving forces for the functional transition of Chinese cities.
KEYWORDS: city function; longitudinal study; urban system; population census; China
♦ A STUDY ON PATTERNS AND STRATEGIES OF IN-SITU URBANIZATION IN CHINA WITH COUNTY TOWNS AS KEY CARRIERS
Author：GUO Zhiwei; YAN Lin; ZHANG Zhaoxin; GUO Jikai
ABSTRACT: As an important component of China’s urban system, county towns have been endowed with significant implications in supporting integrated urban-rural development and advancing new-type urbanization in the new era. This paper examines the evolving patterns of population urbanization centered on county towns by analyzing the decade-long data of 1,871 county-level administrative units nationwide. The analysis focuses on multidimensional indicators including population size, economic vitality, built-up area expansion, and fixed-asset investment. Through comparative case studies of six representative counties across different regions, the paper identifies the shared attributes and contemporary challenges experienced by these counties amid in-situ urbanization. Building on empirical findings, the paper proposes exploratory in-situ urbanization suggestions encompassing six strategic dimensions: (1) implementing demographic shift-based planning, (2) performing region-specific approaches, (3) enhancing industrial capacity, (4) coordinating urban-rural spatial structures, (5) upgrading key infrastructure, and (6) accelerating institutional innovation.
KEYWORDS: county town; in-situ urbanization; key carrier; patterns and strategies
♦ A CYCLICAL ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK FOR THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN SETTLEMENT SPACES
Author：YOU Lie
ABSTRACT: In the face of changes in the supply and demand of urban and rural construction stock, judging the future trend of human settlement space development in urban and rural areas has become an important strategic issue. Firstly, based on the model of spatial change of human settlements, the spatial cycle model of human settlements is constructed from the rate of change of population and the rate of change of land use, which is divided into two parts: the cycle of the rate of change and the cycle of the total volume. Secondly, under the framework of the model, the existence of human settlement spatial change cycles in urban and rural areas is clearly proposed. A complete cycle of human settlement spatial change includes six stages: expansion, spreading, dilution, shrinkage, contraction and tightening. Finally, the model is run and used as an example using data from the statistical yearbook of urban and rural construction. The human settlement space cycle model provides an endogenous framework for analyzing the cycle of urban and rural construction development, which helps urban and rural construction to develop smoothly and better traverse the cycle through counter-cyclical macro-control of human settlement space resources.
KEYWORDS: cycle; human settlement space transition model; human settlement space cycle model; space inertia
♦ EXAMINING THE SPATIAL PATTERNS OF URBAN NETWORKS IN CHINA: AN INSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF GOVERNMENT-MARKET RELATIONSHIP
Author：ZHANG Ze; TANG Zilai
ABSTRACT: Based on a critical review of methods for constructing urban networks, this study utilizes investment data from publicly listed enterprises to examine the spatial patterns of urban networks in China. The results indicate that different quantitative methods reveal distinct spatial characteristics, either “diamond structure” or “capital-centric radiation”, proving the limitations of traditional methods originating from the West in the study of urban networks in China. To address this, the study introduces an analytical framework for the government-market relationship based on the ownership structures of publicly listed enterprises, providing a preliminary interpretation of the specific institutional context underlying urban networks in China. The economic and geographical pattern of China, from the perspective of urban networks, reflects both global trends and distinct local characteristics. The complex interplay between government and market is crucial for understanding the evolution and development of urban networks in China.
KEYWORDS : urban networks in China; spatial pattern; government-market relationship; institutional context; ownership structure of enterprises
♦ THE DEPARTMENTAL URBAN PLANNING AGREEMENT SYSTEM DURING CHINA’S FIRST FIVE-YEAR PLAN PERIOD AND ITS CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATION: A CASE STUDY OF SHENYANG CITY PLANNING
Author：LI Hao; LI Rongze
ABSTRACT: The departmental planning agreement system is a unique planning system in China’s urban planning work during the First Five-Year Plan period. Drawing upon comprehensive archival evidence, this paper conducts a historical study on the system’s causes, origins, content regulations, and developmental changes. Then through a case study of Shenyang city planning, the paper analyzes its implications, as well as its role and contribution to urban planning formulation and approval work. The departmental planning agreement system reflects the concept of multi-departmental collaboration and joint governance, serving as an important guarantee for the formulation and implementation of urban planning. It plays a significant role in improving the quality of planning and design results and promoting planning approval. Contemporary planning work should attach great importance to interdepartmental consultation and collaboration, strengthen the alignment of departmental responsibilities with corresponding authorities, improve planning incentive and constraint mechanisms, and fully leverage the distinct role of the departmental agreement system in the new era.
KEYWORDS: history of urban planning; planning system; departmental planning agreement; planning approval; Shenyang
♦ INTEGRATION OF THEORY AND PRACTICE, VALUE RANGE CONTROL, AND RULE INDEXING: A STUDY ON THE APPLICATION OF OPEN SPACE RATIO IN RESIDENTIAL PLOTS CENTERED ON PUBLIC INTEREST
Author：YI Xin; HUANG Minghua; JING Bo; ZHAO Bingjing
ABSTRACT: The open space ratio holds significant value in detailed territorial planning, as it helps balance equity and efficiency in urban development. However, existing research has primarily focused on status quo analysis and theoretical exploration, with limited attention to its practical application. To address this gap, this study centers on ensuring public interest and calculates the theoretical open space ratio for residential plots under the dual constraints of sunlight spacing and centralized green spaces. By comparing this theoretical value with actual conditions, the study examines how factors such as development intensity, building typology, layout, and plot form influence the open space ratio. Building on this analysis, the paper proposes a value range control model based on a “basic value + bottom-line value” system. A rule indexing approach is further introduced to universally regulate various development and construction activities, aiming to enhance the precision and feasibility of land development controls and advance the modernization of spatial governance.
KEYWORDS: public interest; residential plots; open space ratio; theory and practice; range control; rule indexing
♦ METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR EVALUATION OF NATIONAL HISTORIC CITY PROTECTION
Author：DING Shouyi; CHEN Tianyu; LIAO Chun; XU Zhiqiu; JIANG Jian
ABSTRACT: The evaluation of national historic cities is an important task in response to the requirements of the Opinions on Strengthening the Protection and Inheritance of Historic and Cultural Heritage in Urban and Rural Construction issued by the General Office of CPC and the General Office of State Council, which are to establish an evaluation mechanism for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural historic and cultural heritage, and to evaluate the work and the status of protected objects on a regular basis. Based on the experience in the protection and evaluation of historic cities, this paper expounds the requirements for the protection and evaluation of national historic cities in the new era, and puts forward the optimization of evaluation methods from three aspects: multi-period remote sensing image monitoring, aerial photography of unmanned aerial vehicles, and multi-source big data identification, with a view to improving the objectivity and fairness of the special evaluation results of national historic cities, so as to promote the protection and inheritance of history and culture in urban and rural areas.
KEYWORDS: national historic city; evaluation; methods; new technology
♦ A STUDY ON THE SPATIAL MORPHOLOGICAL TYPES OF MILITARY SETTLEMENTS ALONG THE MING GREAT WALL: THE CASE OF “CENTRAL THREE FRONTIERS”
Author：WEI Wei; LIU Liyang; NIU Zhaosong; QIAO Sufang
ABSTRACT: The spatial morphology of military settlements along the Ming Great Wall is the external manifestation of its well-designed defense system, adaptation to geographical environments, and fulfillment of functional requirements. Compared to other settlements, they exhibit a higher degree of complexity, representativeness, and uniqueness in morphology. Taking the 227 military settlements of the “Central Three Frontiers (Zhong San Bian in Chinese pinyin)” in the “Nine Frontiers” of the Ming Dynasty as examples, this paper establishes a database including the defense system and spatial morphology. Subsequently, five indicators – compactness ratio, extension rate, shape index, number of axes, and number of nodes of each settlement – are selected to analyze the three meso-level morphological elements, which are boundaries, axes, and nodes. Using systematic clustering methods, four types of settlements are identified based on their spatial distributions and functions: hinterland multifunctional settlements, near-border coordinated command settlements, border defensive settlements, and strategic transportation hub settlements. Furthermore, based on the findings of the study of morphological types, the paper explores the settlement construction wisdom from the four perspectives of overall defense system, geographical environment, ritual norm, and practical utility.
KEYWORDS: military settlements; spatial morphology; systematic clustering; construction wisdom; Central Three Frontiers (Zhong San Bian)
♦ SITE SELECTION AND SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION STRATEGIES OF TRADITIONAL VILLAGES IN THE “YIYUE AND LIANGDU” REGION UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF “VILLAGE SITE SELECTION WITH WATER”
Author：ZHAO Liang; HUANG Zhong; ZHANG Xing; ZHANG Yijie; SONG Feng
ABSTRACT: In the ancient urban and rural settlement system, the waterfront village, as a typical sample of urban and rural human settlements based on landscape construction, is an important carrier for the overall consideration of the relationship between the construction of human settlements and the water potential. Focusing on the “Yiyue and Liangdu region” formed by the two of the Sidu, the important river systems in ancient times, Yellow River, Jishui River and Mount Tai, one of the scared five mountains, and the 118 traditional villages, under the distinction of village-water scale and site selection, the feature extraction method of village water spatial unit level and its numerical analysis was constructed, and the multi-scale site selection feature analysis of “river basin water system-river section-riverbank hydraulics” was summarized. According to the characteristics of site selection, this paper traces the method of site selection of ancient villages, and summarizes the construction method of village water site selection under group site selection, “according to the shape and close branches” under segmented site selection, and “according to Luluoxi” under classified site selection, and constructs the protection and application path of heritage value inheritance under group site selection from the perspective of “village site selection with water”.
KEYWORDS: “village site selection with water”; “Yiyue and Liangdu” region; traditional village; characteristics of site selection; principle of construction
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