The natural basis of the formation of the dual-nuclei structural model

Abstract

The dual-nuclei spatial structure is composed of a regional central city, a port city and their spatial relations in certain regions. In general, this spatial structure could be found in most of the coastal regions or regions along big rivers. In terms of the mechanism, the dual-nuclei structure is the result of the spatial interaction and the complementary characteristics of the center city and the port city. The ‘marginal function’ of the port city and its relationship with the central city has long been discussed in the literature. On the one hand, drainage area is the main natural geographical background of the formation of the dual-nuclei spatial structure; therefore, we can build a theoretical geographic structure that is based on the drainage area. On the other hand, vicissitude of the coastline also has important influence on the formation of the dual-nuclei spatial structure. It is especially meaningful if we can notice this when we examine deeply the research on the spatial structure of delta.