Redai dili (Jan 2024)
Spatial-Temporal Differentiation Patterns and Driving Mechanisms of Residential Housing Conditions in Medium-Sized Cities: A Case Study of Zhaoqing City
Abstract
Academic circles have long ignored the problems of inadequate and unbalanced housing development in medium-sized cities. Based on data from the sixth and seventh national population censuses of Zhaoqing City, this study constructed the resident housing evaluation system focusing on four sub-systems: construction age, building structure, per capita floor area, and housing living facilities. Through global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses, the spatial-temporal differentiation pattern of residents' housing conditions in Zhaoqing City from 2010 to 2020 was described. An OLS regression model was used to identify the influencing factors of the comprehensive score of residents' housing conditions, revealing the driving mechanisms of the evolution of the spatial pattern of housing conditions. The results show that 1) From 2010 to 2020, the spatial difference characteristics of the housing conditions of residents in Zhaoqing City showed obvious changes, with the high score area shifting from southeast to northwest. 2) The housing conditions of residents showed significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. The spatial agglomeration degree of the overall housing condition score did not change much in the past 10 years, while the spatial agglomeration degree of the construction age, building structure, and housing living facilities scores decreased significantly. 3) In 2020, the housing conditions of urban residents and rural residents presented different spatial differentiation patterns. The per capita floor area subsystem of rural housing dominates the spatial differentiation pattern of housing conditions for all residents in the city. 4) Regarding driving mechanisms, early urban forms constitute the historical basis of the spatial pattern of housing conditions in Zhaoqing City. Government policies and planning are the key driving forces shaping the evolution of spatial patterns, and the filtering effect of the housing market further strengthens the established spatial pattern. Based on these findings, the study proposes the following policy implications for Zhaoqing City: 1) Accelerate the upgrading of the industrial structure and new type urbanization construction, and encourage the city's agricultural migrant population and migrant workers to find jobs and settle down in the central city, development zone, and county; 2) Increase the supply of affordable housing with better housing quality in Zhaoqing New District and High-tech Zone to attract and retain highly skilled talents and college graduates; 3) Control the supply scale of residential land in the New District and High-tech Zone, increase the supply scale of industrial land, and expedite the introduction of strategic industries; 4) Conduct micro-transformations of old residential areas in the old urban areas, upgrade infrastructure and indoor living facilities, and improve the quality of the living environment. This study discusses the evolution trend and driving mechanisms of the spatial differentiation of housing conditions in small- and medium-sized cities and offers policy implications to comprehensively improve the housing conditions of Zhaoqing residents based on local conditions. This has significant reference value for promoting the optimization of housing conditions in small- and medium-sized cities and improving the overall living conditions of citizens.
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