Spatial patterns and driving forces of uneven dual-track urbanisation in Fujian Province: An approach based on employment sectors

Abstract

This paper analyses the spatial patterns and driving forces of uneven dual-track urbanisation in Fujian province using an approach based on the employment sector. It is found that uneven dual-track urbanisation is driven by four major driving forces, including the administrative force, the general internal market force, the specific internal market force, and the external force. Four area types based on employment structure have different levels of dual-track urbanisation. The relatively balanced levels of state-sponsored and spontaneous urbanisation are found in state-led urbanised areas and less developed areas. However, the levels of two urbanisation tracks in state-led urbanised areas far exceed other areas. Their high level of state-sponsored urbanisation is backed up by a large state-owned sector. There is also significant spontaneous urbanisation owing to the rising private sector and inflow of migrant workers to main urban centres. Coastal developed areas have a high level of spontaneous urbanisation but a relatively low level of state-sponsored urbanisation. Less developed areas have low levels of both state-sponsored and spontaneous urbanisation. The Fujian case shows that the two tracks of urbanisation have beenadvancing despite the relative decline of the employment share of state-owned and collective-owned sectors. The economic sectors other than state-owned and collective-owned sectors have contributed to both tracks of urbanisation. The results shed new light on the relationship between the employment sectors and dual-track urbanisation in China.