Abstract
Urban expansion has become a widespread trend in developing countries. Road networks are an extremely important factor driving the expansion of urban land and require further study. To investigate the relationship between road networks and urban expansion, we selected Beijing, New York, London, and Chicago as study areas. First, we obtained urban land use vector data through image interpretation using a remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) platform and then used overlay analysis to extract information on urban expansion. A road network density map was generated using the density analysis tool. Finally, we conducted a spatial statistical analysis between road networks and urban expansion and then systematically analyzed their distribution features. In addition, the Urban Expansion-Road Network Density Model was established based on regression analysis. The results indicate that (1) the road network density thresholds of Beijing, New York, London, and Chicago are 18.9 km/km2, 37.8 km/km2, 57.0 km/km2, and 64.7 km/km2, respectively, and urban expansion has an inverted U-curve relationship with road networks when the road network density does not exceed the threshold; (2) the calculated turning points for urban expansion indicate that urban expansion initially accelerates with increasing road network density but then decreases after the turning point is reached; and (3) when the road density exceeds the threshold, urban areas cease to expand. The correlation between urban expansion and road network features provides an important reference for the future development of global cities. Understanding road network density offers some predictive capabilities for urban land expansion, facilitates the avoidance of irregular expansion, and provides new ideas for addressing the inefficient utilization of land.
Highlights
Urban expansion is an important stage and inevitable occurrence in urban social and economic development [1,2]
This study aims to reveal the quantitative relationship between road networks and urban land expansion by establishing a quantitative model of the relationship between road networks and urban expansion in Beijing, New York, Chicago, and London
To further explore the extent of the transformation of the mutual promotion of road network density and urban expansion, this paper modeled the urban expansion-road network and turning point formula based on the regression analysis
Summary
Urban expansion is an important stage and inevitable occurrence in urban social and economic development [1,2]. With the rapid development of global urbanization, the compact use of urban land has become even more important. Road networks, which are the “skeleton” of urban social development and the foundation and important driving factor for urban land expansion, are closely linked with urban expansion [3,4]. Road networks, which are integral components of the infrastructure and support urban integration, connect various functional areas. The investment scale, area, space action, and other factors of road networks have made these features significant drivers of urban expansion [5,6,7]. The rapid expansion of urban land increases the rigid demand for the land in road networks
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