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Investigating Intra-urban Functional Polycentricity from a Linkage Perspective: the Case of Changsha, China

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Abstract

Polycentric urban development has become a prominent phenomenon in China since many cities advocate the strategy by revising spatial planning. Existing research mainly focuses on quantifying functionally polycentric degrees and inter-city differences based on rank-size analysis. Still, it seldom elaborates dynamic functional linkages at the intra-urban scale based on flow analysis. This study fills the gap by proposing a methodological framework to measure functional polycentricity using link strength, direction, and dynamics. Based on social network analysis of taxi trajectories, we reveal the spatial structure by link strength and temporal patterns of link direction and link dynamics. The case study in Changsha discloses that the city has a four-level polycentric system compared with the three-level one proposed in the master planning. Link direction result demonstrates a centrifugal pattern from Main Center towards the periphery, reflecting the mediation role of urban centers in the network. Link dynamics result indicates the single function of urban subcenters/clusters for residence or employment, reflecting insufficient public services. Thus, the results provide meaningful reflections on polycentric planning and policy-making.

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Data availability

Data available on request from the authors.

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Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 41871169, 71974022, and 41871318) and the Support Scheme of Guangzhou for Leading Talents in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Land Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, People’s Republic of China

    Wenze Yue, Jingxian Wei & Tianyu Wang

  2. School of Construction Management and Real Estate, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, People’s Republic of China

    Yong Liu

  3. College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China

    Honghui Zhang

  4. Guangdong Guodi Planning Science Technology Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510075, China

    Honghui Zhang

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  1. Wenze Yue
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  2. Jingxian Wei
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  4. Tianyu Wang
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  5. Honghui Zhang
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Correspondence to Yong Liu.

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Yue, W., Wei, J., Liu, Y. et al. Investigating Intra-urban Functional Polycentricity from a Linkage Perspective: the Case of Changsha, China. J geovis spat anal 7, 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41651-023-00132-6

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