Ziyuan Kexue (Dec 2023)
Suitability evaluation of territorial space development from the perspective of “form-flow integration”: A case study of the Nanjing Metropolitan Area
Abstract
[Objective] The rapid advancements in information technology and transportation have greatly augmented the influence of flow elements on shaping spatial patterns. The integration of flow elements with geospatial morphological elements is gaining significance in optimizing territorial spatial planning. This study aimed to explore the approaches and methodologies for assessing the suitability of territorial space development by integrating forms and flows, which may provide essential support for the optimizing of territorial spatial patterns. [Methods] In this study, we employed mobile signaling data, geospatial data, and other diverse information sources to develop an evaluation indicator system known as “form-flow integration”. This system was designed to assess the suitability of territorial space development. Spatial overlay, k-means clustering, and hierarchical analysis methods were used to perform an integrated evaluation of the suitability of territorial space development in the Nanjing Metropolitan Area. [Results] (1) The territorial space development suitability in the Nanjing Metropolitan Area shows distinct characteristics of concentrated agglomeration around a single center and spatial differentiation. Suitable regions are primarily concentrated in the urbanized areas of Nanjing-Ma’anshan-Chuzhou and Nanjing-Zhenjiang-Yangzhou, as well as the Jinshan District and Liyang City of Changzhou. On the contrary, the regions that are not suitable are predominantly situated in Chuzhou, Ma’anshan, and Xuancheng. (2) The evaluation findings pertaining to the geospatial morphological elements indicate that Nanjing City functions as the central hub of the metropolitan area, while multiple city center areas serve as diverse high development suitability hubs. This exemplifies a spatial distribution characteristic known as “one core and multiple poles”. Geospatial morphological elements play a pivotal role in the development of territorial space. (3) The evaluation results of flow elements partially depict the genuine dynamic characteristics of the territorial spatial structure, thereby unveiling a spatial pattern characterized by a “core-periphery” nature. There are substantial variations in the development suitability of Nanjing, Chuzhou, and Xuancheng Cities. The existence of a significant “siphon effect” in Nanjing City, along with persistent administrative obstacles across different regions, is apparent. [Conclusion] This study contributes to the advancement of evaluating the suitability of territorial space development by integrating “form” and “flow” elements. The evaluation method for development suitability is optimized, with regional functionality as the central focus. Additionally, this study proves the applicability of the new method at the scale of metropolitan area, which provides theoretical reference for the optimization of territorial spatial pattern in metropolitan area.
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