Beijing and Shanghai’s Urbanization Differences through Analysis of the Northam Curve and Social Factors

Abstract

This paper aims to track and explain the spatiotemporal differences between Beijing and Shanghai’s urbanization development after 1978. By using the Model of Social Factors and the Northam Curve, the paper compares the urbanization difference between Beijing and Shanghai and why Shanghai is metropolitan while Beijing is nonmetropolitan. The paper also indicates that Shanghai will not “re-urbanize” after reaching the inflection point of the Northam Curve. A future topic would be the prediction of both cities’ urbanization during the upcoming decades.