PROGRESS IN GEOGRAPHY ›› 2015, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (11): 1388-1397.doi: 10.18306/dlkxjz.2015.11.006

• Orientation and Strategy • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Constructing a spatial pattern of development and protection in the Yangtze River Economic Belt and its analysis

Wen CHEN(), Wei SUN, Jiawei WU, Cheng CHEN, Dongsheng YAN   

  1. Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, CAS, Nanjing 210008, China
  • Online:2015-11-25 Published:2015-11-25

Abstract:

The Yangtze River Basin has integrated economic, social, and ecological systems, and is the most important east-west axis of national spatial development of China. It has an important strategic position in the overall pattern of regional development. In response to the new trends of global economy and trade, national and regional socioeconomic transformation, and greater environmental constraints for development at this time, a new economic supporting area relying on the golden waterway of the Yangtze River has been proposed by the Chinese government. This requires a balanced pattern in population, resources, and environment development and protection in this area. Therefore, based on the point-axis, zoning, and multi-center network spatial organization structures, this article discusses how to construct the spatial patterns. Using the results from regional difference analysis and spatial development suitability assessment, the "one axis and two wings, three zones and six corridors" development pattern, "six areas" spatial pattern for agriculture, and "five barriers" for ecological security strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt are proposed; recommendations on development orientations, paths, and regulations of the various regions are made; and main scientific issues concerning the spatial pattern of the Yangtze River Economic Belt are raised in this article.

Key words: spatial structure, development and protection pattern, spatial development suitability assessment, Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB)