Perspective of urban land use in Beijing

Abstract

This paper illustrates the features of urban land use in Beijing and approaches the factors particularly influencing the urban internal structure model. The brief review of the development process proves that the historical background and human decisions determined the basic framework of the structure. The spatial structure of land use shows that Beijing still keeps the characteristics of an industrialized city due to the importance of industry. Another particular feature was the absence of a central business district in Beijing, although in socialist system urban spatial structure also displays zonal, sectoral and star forms. The particular form in Beijing is the “separated integrated district” as the basic subdistrict. Finally the urban problems are discussed and suggestions made.