PROGRESS IN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2021, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (11): 1812-1823.doi: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2021.11.002

• Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatio-temporal change and influencing factors of city size distribution: Global empirical research based on LandScan data

WANG Yu1,2,3(), SUN Bindong1,2,3,*(), ZHANG Tinglin1,2,3   

  1. 1. Research Center for China Administrative Division, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    2. Institute of Eco-Chongming, Shanghai 202162, China
    3. School of Urban & Regional Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
  • Received:2021-01-11 Revised:2021-04-26 Online:2021-11-28 Published:2022-01-28
  • Contact: SUN Bindong E-mail:taibeidezuoan@163.com;bdsun@re.ecnu.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Major Program of National Social Science Foundation of China(17ZDA068);Training Program for Future Scientists and Outstanding Scholars of East China Normal University(WLKXJ202010)

Abstract:

Understanding the patterns of city size distribution around the world is important for the formation of reasonable city size distribution and high-quality national economic development. Based on a panel two-way fixed effects model and multiple databases such as LandScan from 2000 to 2018, this study identified the spatial and temporal change characteristics of city size distribution at the national level and analyzed its influencing factors as well as their heterogeneity based on global cities with a uniform definition. It was found that city size distribution across countries showed a fluctuating equalizing trend. In terms of spatial change, African and South American countries showed gradually equalized city size distribution, while Asian and European countries showed a trend of polarization. In a comparison of the present situation, African countries lead in the polarization of city size distribution, while European countries are the most equalized. Higher river densities, city population densities, and industrialization levels promote a equalized city size distribution, while larger topographic relief and national unrest reinforce their polarization. Compared to other factors, the socioeconomic factors (especially urban population density) have the most significant impact on the heterogeneity of city size distribution across countries with different income levels, industrial structures, and levels of government intervention. Although increased city population density contributes to a more equalized city size distribution overall, it has a significant polarizing effect in service-dominated and weak government intervention countries and a less pronounced effect in high-income countries. The balancing effect of industrial development on city size distribution and the polarizing effect of increased railway density are more significant in low-income countries, manufacturing-dominated countries, and countries with weak government intervention. Increased economic development significantly contributes to the polarization of city size distribution in service-dominated and weak government intervention countries and the expansion of openness contributes to the equalization of city size distribution in high-income countries. The increase in city population and internet penetration contributes to polarization and equalization of the city size distribution in countries with strong government intervention, and the increase in government spending only has a balancing effect on the city size distribution in countries with strong government intervention. This study deepens the knowledge of the patterns of city size distribution and its formation mechanism, and provides strong empirical support for the formation of a reasonable city size distribution. In the future, China should reshape the national economic geography by constructing an appropriately equalized city size distribution, expanding the two-way internal and external openness, and applying new generation information technologies.

Key words: city size distribution, high-quality development, influencing factors, heterogeneity, globe