The satellite towns of metropolis guangzhou: Evolution, inherent links with the central city and tendencies —a case study of renhe town

Abstract

This paper focuses on three interrelated aspects of the relationship between the satellite towns (Renhe Town) and the central city of metropolis Guangzhou. The attention is initially paid to the evolution of the satellite towns. Those towns are recognized as industrial ones although different types could be identified since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Then the analysis is turned to the inherent links between Renhe and the central city. Although Renhe has absorbed some decentralized industries, the achievements of constructing satellite towns are not considered satisfactory. This is because the decentralized industries have not given an impetus to the economic growth of Renhe, the town has no close links with the central city in the aspects of finance, employment, economy and technology due to the limitation of the traditional administrative institution, and the decentralized workers are commuters taking the mother city as the sleeping place. Thirdly the problems associated with the construction of satellite towns are examined. Guangzhou is experiencing the major restructuring of industrial structure and therefore it is necessary to decentralize some industries to satellite towns. However, the limits from the central city and the satellite towns are influencing industrial decentralization and construction of satellite towns. The solutions and prospects are finally put forward.