Abstract
The territories between urban and rural areas, also called urban–rural fringe, commonly present inherent instability and notable heterogeneity. However, investigating the multifaceted urban–rural fringe phenomenon based on large-scale identification has yet to be undertaken. In this study, we adopted a handy clustering-based method by incorporating multidimensional urbanization indicators to understand how the urban–rural fringe development vary across space and shift over time in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China. The results show that (1) the growth magnitude of urban–rural fringe areas was greater than urban areas, whereas their growth rate was remarkably lower. (2) The landscape dynamics of urban–rural fringe varied markedly between fast-developing and slow-developing cities. Peripheral sprawl, inter-urban bridge, and isolated growth were the representative development patterns of urban–rural fringe in this case. (3) Urban–rural fringe development has predominantly occurred where cultivated land is available, and significant inter-provincial differences and tendency shifts have been found in the land cover change processes therein. Our findings indicate that the urban–rural fringe development should be considered as a stage-dependent and place-specific process. This work extends previous knowledge by unraveling the diversity of urban–rural fringe in a fast urbanizing region, and can provide insights into reorienting the spatial planning and land use management within the urban–rural interface.
Highlights
Rapid urbanization has created vast areas of discontinuous and low-density development, commonly called peri-urban area or urban–rural fringe (URF), which are neither strictly urban nor rural [1]
This study aims to improve our understanding of the diversity of URF development in a fast-urbanized region
By applying a clustering algorithm and adopting three parameters that imply important dimensions of urbanization, we offer a cost-effective way of identifying the development patterns of the URF at the regional scale
Summary
Rapid urbanization has created vast areas of discontinuous and low-density development, commonly called peri-urban area or urban–rural fringe (URF), which are neither strictly urban nor rural [1]. In the past several decades, urban areas were substantially encroaching their territories to adjacent rural places. Such processes have resulted in land fragmentation, complex man-land nexus, and highly competing land use practices and demands [2]. More urban land is needed to accommodate urban population and anthropogenic activities [3]. The peri-urban areas are expected to grow incessantly, even grow faster than urban areas in the future. In Europe, the projected growth rate of urban areas is lower than for peri-urban areas whose size is expected to double within
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
