Abstract
Studying the spatiotemporal evolution of urban expansion in the Xia-Zhang-Quan metropolitan area (XZQ) is of crucial importance, to effectively guide coordinated development and industrial adjustment during urbanization. Based on National Polar Partnership-Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS) data this study used an analytical method of irregular spatial grids to explore and evaluate the dynamics of urban spatial expansion and urban socioeconomic vitality in XZQ between 2013 and 2017. The results show that the gulf-type urban development strategy of Xiamen has played a key role in the integration and development of XZQ. The urban area increased by 20–30% and increased intensity of socioeconomic activities was demonstrated by observed increases in the total brightness of urban nighttime light. Due to its unique advantages in the agricultural industries, Zhangzhou made significant economic progress during 2013–2017. At the same time, driven by spatial processes in Xiamen, areas such as the Zhangzhou Port Area and Longhai also achieved significant progress. This is also the case in Quanzhou and thus, collectively there is evidence of multi-polar growth. Jinjiang and Shishi effectively utilized coastal port economy development advantages to play a key role in the integration and development of XZQ. There were both commonalities and differences in terms of the characteristics of spatial expansion in different cities of XZQ. In summary, this study provides evidence to support further promotion of coordinated development in XZQ, and with appropriate caveats these findings could also be transferred to other urban agglomerations.
Highlights
Urbanization is characterized by dramatic expansion of urban land and urban population growth, with concomitant anthropogenic stressors contributing to widespread environmental changes [1,2,3]
Based on the NPP-VIIRS nighttime light data and the statistical yearbooks of Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou, this study extracted the urban land in the municipal districts of the three cities using a dichotomy method, and compared the results with data in the statistical yearbooks [27,52] to determine overall accuracy of the methodology (Tables 1–3)
(1) Xiamen plays a key role in the integrated development of the Xia-Zhang-Quan metropolitan area
Summary
Urbanization is characterized by dramatic expansion of urban land and urban population growth, with concomitant anthropogenic stressors contributing to widespread environmental changes [1,2,3]. In the context of global urbanization and economic globalization, the megalopolises of the world have begun merging toward “super-urban agglomerations.”. These trends clearly indicate that urban agglomerations are becoming an important way to increase regional competitiveness, as well as a novel approach to promote economic development, and coordinate environmentally sustainable socioeconomic development by integrating resources on regional scales [8,9,10]. Focusing on the effective planning and management of urban growth in urban agglomerations and understanding the mechanisms that drive urbanization have become increasingly crucial for national sustainable development
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