What is the connection of urban material stock and socioeconomic factors? A case study in Chinese cities

Abstract

The development of urbanization accelerates the construction of urban buildings, infrastructure, and the production of artifacts to support the basic socioeconomic activities in cities. To prepare for future urban development and enhance urban resilience, it is necessary to understand the scale of existing buildings, infrastructure and artifacts in cities. Taking Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chengdu as an example, this study used material flow analysis to calculate the material stock of urban buildings, infrastructure, and artifacts from 1978 to 2018, explored the accumulation process and structural changes of urban material stock, and analyzed the driving factors of material stock changes. The results showed that urban material stock had accumulated rapidly, and its constituent structure was dominated by buildings (60-82%) and infrastructure (14-31%), while the artificial products were relatively low (3-7%), and its material structure was dominated by sand and gravel (66-70%). Economic development and urban population were the main drivers for material stock growth, while material intensity and urban-rural structure showed an inhibition effect. The results can provide a scientific basis for sustainable construction and management of material stock in urban buildings, infrastructure and artifacts.