Gini Index for Cities: A Preliminary Study on Regional Differences of Chinese City Size Distribution

City size distribution is of interest because of a number of key stylized facts, including notably Zipf's law for cities and the importance of urban primacy. But a new and more efficient method Gini index can be used for calculating regional city size distribution. This paper begins by developing a calculation method for the Gini index, dividing the whole country into 26 areas and then calculating each area's Gini index value. Based on these calculation results, this paper gives a preliminary study on regional differences of its city size distribution and the dynamics.     

WATCH

Abstract

The development of everthing follows its own law, which does not change at people's own sweet will. Therefore, we must study the development of things so as to grasp the essence of things in their deep meanings, explore the direction of their development, and make them better serve the people. As a part of the thought of sustainable development, city environment art will be of active significance to the perfection of the thought and will also be the concrete embodiment of the synthetic index of economic development. Such a thesis, starting from the macroscopic angle, and relying on the leading thought of sustainable development, takes hold of the development trend of city environment art, and explores the various problems that have arisen in city environment in the process of city management by combining thoughts on city planning, so as to guide urban harmonious development theoretically. The present paper expounds on the views comprehensively and, through the synthetic analysis on city planning, city environment, art esthetics and the thought of sustainable development, makes a detailed analysis of the effects of the present rapid city development on city environment.     

Size structure of urban agglomerations in China: rationality evaluation,patterns, and implications

ABSTRACT

This paper establishes a diagnostic model for assessing the rationality of size structure of urban agglomerations (UAs) in China. The model is designed to determine from a three-dimensional index including size distribution index (SDI), size compactness index (SCI), and size efficiency index (SEI). The spatio-temporal pattern of size structure involving the studied 19 UAs and its implications are explored. The results indicate that size structure of China’s UAs advanced from a low rationality development stage to a moderate rationality development stage in 1995–2015. Among them, the SDI and SEI were reasonably high, and the SCI was relatively low. Spatially, the high rationality UAs were distributed across eastern China, while the low rationality UAs were located in western China. UAs with positive size structure possessed typically a dual- or multicenter urban structure, while UAs with negative size structure usually presented as a single-center structure. The evolutionary trajectories of rationality of size structure of UAs can be summarized as four different stages. Our findings suggest that, in addition to consolidating the status of national-level UAs, the development of regional-level UAs should be promoted. Also, the fostering focus and direction should be oriented toward an UA with dual- or multicenter spatial structure.     

Research on Indicator System of Regional Eco-efficiency: A Case Study of Chengyang District

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is a valuable tool for managing and solving issues involving resource consumption and pollution emission in current production processes. Despite the popularity of the term “eco-efficiency” in business, limited attention has been paid to measuring and reporting regional eco-efficiency for local government policy makers. Based on the concept and method of eco-efficiency, an indicator system of regional eco-efficiency is established in this study. The indicator system comprises 22 indicators, which are divided in to three categories including socio-economic development, resources consumption, environmental pressure. As a promising statistical technique, principle component analysis is used to set the weight of indicators which attempts to calculate the eco-efficiency indices of Qingdao's Chengyang District. The results show that the eco-efficiency of Chengyang District has clearly improved 35.1% with small fluctuation from 1995 to 2003. Socio-economic development index and resources consumption index also represent obvious increasing trends. The correlation coefficient between soci-economic development index and resources consumption index is 0.979, which means the social progress and economic growth of Chengyang District depend on an extravagant consumption of resources. The environmental pressure index in- creased slowly before 1997 and declined gradually after 1997, due to more attention being paid to environmental protection by local government in recent years. Chengyang District still keeps the traditional economic development mode with a high consumption and high production, so the emphases of future development should put on improving the improving the efficient use of natural resources and promoting environmental management sustainability. The results show that the indicators system of regional eco-efficiency is a promising method to quantitatively evaluate resources and environmental efficiency and provide an effective decision-making support for local governments.     

均等指数和两极化指数建立与比较

在基尼系数衡量收入差距存在一定缺陷和我国收入两极化概念不清楚的情况下,本文重点对基尼系数与两极分化的涵义进行了剖析,指出了两个概念的本质与它们之间的联系、区别。对以后的收入差距测量有一定的指导意义。基尼系数反映了所有个体偏离总体的程度,两极化指数反映二大组之间差异情况。在前人测量收入差距方法基础上构造两极分化指数I。结合中国和部分其它国家的数据,测量了三个指数并进行了比较分析,结果表明:三个指数高度相关,在一般情况下均等指数、基尼系数和两极分化指数都能大致反映收入差距情况。对组间、组内差距处理方法不同是基尼系数(均等指数)与两极分化指数最根本的区别。构造的两极分化指数具有直观、易于理解、意义明确、计算简单等诸多优点。因此在测量收入差距时,倡导优先使用均等指数。在测量只有二等分组构成总体的收入差距时,优先选择两极分化指数。实际研究中,可以根据研究的问题,合理地选择基尼系数,均等指数,两极分化指数从事相关研究。     

The Fuzzy Synthesizing Evaluation of City's Environmental Quality Based on GIOWA Operator: A Case of 13 Cities of Jiangsu Province

Abstract

In this paper, the generally induced ordered weighted averaging (GIOWA) operator is used to construct the fuzzy evaluating system of the quality of a city's environment including air, water and noise. Based on the part data of air, water and noise of the 13 cities under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu provincial government in 2002, a case study is given. The evaluating results show that the evaluating system of the quality of a city's environment based on the GIOWA operator can reflect the condition of pollution controlled and environmental quality of a city in a period of time.     

基于专利授权数的长江经济带创新差异的多尺度分析

实施长江经济带战略对推动我国经济发展具有重要的意义,而长江经济带创新能力的提升成为其发展的关键。基于标准差指数、变差系数、区位基尼系数和集中度指数的定量研究方法,研究长江经济带在城市群级、省级和市级多尺度上的区域创新差异及原因。研究表明:各尺度区域创新差异均呈现出持续增长趋势,并且区域创新差异随着区域尺度的增加而增加。影响长江经济带创新差异的各个区域尺度的主要原因各不相同,影响城市群创新差异的主要原因是社会环境因素,影响省域创新差异的主要原因是经济环境因素,影响城市创新差异的主要原因是对外开放因素。创新集聚随着区域尺度的增大而减小。长江中游和成渝城市群正处于创新活动向中心城市集聚阶段,而长江三角洲城市群进入创新活动的扩散阶段,并且长江三角洲城市群将形成巨大的创新集聚系统。     

Economic Valuation of Health Impact of PM10 Pollution in Beijing from 2001 to 2006

Abstract

In light of the practical need for research to inform policy in Beijing, this study evaluates the economic cost of the impact of PM₁₀ pollution in Beijing from 2001 to 2006, taking health as the main impact, and mortality as the main outcome. Based on the literature review, this study adopts relatively conservative parameters as the basis for calculating the health impacts. It concludes that nearly 30% of mortality among registered residents above age 30 in Beijing can be attributed to PM₁₀ pollution, and that the economic cost equals 0.8%–1.2% of the city’s GDP over the same period. This is lower than the results of previous studies, but still high enough to warrant a commitment to solve the city’s air pollution problem.     

不同空间尺度的江苏省区域经济差异研究

运用基尼系数、空间自相关等方法分析改革开放以来县域和地级市空间尺度下的江苏省区域经济差异变化及其空间机制。研究表明:改革开放以来江苏省县域和地级市尺度的区域经济差异在2008年前均呈扩大趋势,以后差距缩小,且县域尺度大于地级市尺度。在县域和地级市尺度上江苏省区域经济差异均存在明显的空间正相关关系,且不断增强,在县域尺度空间集聚更强。在地级市水平上,苏北的低水平集聚是其产生区域差异的主要原因,而在县域尺度上则苏南的高水平集聚是江苏区域差异主要原因。针对江苏省区域经济差异重点关注县域尺度的区域差异,在地级市尺度上侧重提升落后地区发展水平,而在县域空间尺度上以促进高水平地区的空间扩散为主。     

Research on the Sustainable Utilization of Water Resources of Jinan City

Abstract

The study on the sustainable utilization of water resources of Jinan city is a research hotspot in the urban sustainable development field. How to use a scientific and rational evaluation index system to analyze the sustainable utilization of water resources of Jinan city and then guide the development and utilization of water resources becomes particularly important. Based on the theory of sustainable development this study introduces the method, basic steps and evaluation indexes of the assessment of the development and utilization of water resources. By systemic analyzing the exploitation and utilization standards of water resources and economy and society in Jinan city, the evaluation and index system of sustainable utilization of water resources in Jinan city can be constructed and index weight can be confirmed, and then, the standard of sustainable utilization of water resources in different years can be analyzed comparably. Thus, the deficiency of lack of reflection of coordination extent in water resources development standard, society and economy in traditional evaluation method is settled efficiently. The paper takes the sustainable utilization of water resources of Qingdao City in 2008 as the standard to compare and assess the water resources utilization in Jinan City. The paper also collects data of water resources in Jinan City from 2001 to 2007. The result indicates that evaluation method is of feasibility and it is effective to the implementation of sustainable utilization strategy water resources in Jinan City.     

Luoyang Dual Spatial Criterion Ecological City Construction

Abstract

The construction of an ecological city has two foundational platforms: the small platform, namely urban district or simply called as “city ecosystem”; and the big platform, namely around city district in certain region scope or also referred to as “city-region ecosystem”. The construction of an ecological city must be launched in the dual spatial criteria: in city (urban district) criterion—optimizing the city ecosystem; in city-region (city territory) criterion—optimizing the city-region ecosystem. Luoyang has the bright characteristic and the typical image within cities of China, and even in the world. The construction of an ecological city in dual spatial criteria—the city and the city-region—has the vital significance to urbanization advancement and sustainable development in Luoyang. In city-region criterion, the primary mission of Luoyang's ecological city construction is to create a fine ecological environment platform in its city territory. In city criterion, the basic duty of Luoyang's ecologic city construction is to enhance the ecological capacity and benefit of the central city.     

Identification of Forest Vegetation Using Vegetation Indices

Abstract

Spectral feature of forest vegetation with remote sensing techniques is the research topic all over the world, because forest plays an important role in human beings' living environment. Research on vegetation classification with vegetation index is still very little recently. This paper proposes a method of identifying forest types based on vegetation indices, because the contrast of absorbing red waveband with reflecting near-infrared waveband strongly for different vegetation types is recognized as the theoretic basis of vegetation analysis with remote sensing. Vegetation index is highly related to leaf area index, absorbed photosynthetically active radiation and vegetation cover. Vegetation index reflects photosynthesis intensity of plants and manifests different forest types. According to reflectance data of forest canopy and soil line equation NIR=1.506R+0.0076 in Jingyuetan, Changchun of China, many vegetation indices are calculated and analyzed. The result shows that the relationships between vegetation indices and forest types are that perpendicular vegetation index (PVI) identifies broadleaf forest and coniferous forest the most easily; the next is transformed soil-adjusted vegetation index (TSVI) and modified soil-adjusted vegetation index (MSVI), but their calculation is complex. Ratio vegetation index (RVI) values of different coniferous forest vary obviously, so RVI can classify conifers. Therefore, the combination of PVI and RVI is evaluated to classify different vegetation types.     

Associations between maternal exposure to air pollution and traffic noise and newborn's size at birth: A cohort study

BackgroundMaternal exposure to air pollution and traffic noise has been suggested to impair fetal growth, but studies have reported inconsistent findings.ObjectiveTo investigate associations between residential air pollution and traffic noise during pregnancy and newborn's size at birth.MethodsFrom a national birth cohort we identified 75,166 live-born singletons born at term with information on the children's size at birth. Residential address history from conception until birth was collected and air pollution (NO₂ and NO_x) and road traffic noise was modeled at all addresses. Associations between exposures and indicators of newborn's size at birth: birth weight, placental weight and head and abdominal circumference were analyzed by linear and logistic regression, and adjusted for potential confounders.ResultsIn mutually adjusted models we found a 10 μg/m³ higher time-weighted mean exposure to NO₂ during pregnancy to be associated with a 0.35 mm smaller head circumference (95% confidence interval (CI): 95% CI: − 0.57; − 0.12); a 0.50 mm smaller abdominal circumference (95% CI: − 0.80; − 0.20) and a 5.02 g higher placental weight (95% CI: 2.93; 7.11). No associations were found between air pollution and birth weight. Exposure to residential road traffic noise was weakly associated with reduced head circumference, whereas none of the other newborn's size indicators were associated with noise, neither before nor after adjustment for air pollution.ConclusionsThis study indicates that air pollution may result in a small reduction in offspring's birth head and abdominal circumference, but not birth weight, whereas traffic noise seems not to affect newborn's size at birth.     

Conceptualizing Discourses on Ecological City and Its Planning

Abstract

Ecological city (eco-city) and its planning approach are emerging concepts in urban study, urban planning, ecological economics, environmental policy and corporate environmental management. However, opinions remain divided over the connotation and denotation of the term “ecological city”, what key issues ecocity planning can solve, and its specific contents. In this study, we present 10 basic propositions that define the eco-city and clarify its key parameters, thereby providing the basis for discussing the assumptions and principles underlying different approaches to sustainable urban development. We then summarize the concept and principles of an eco-city, and define the main requirements for ecocity planning. We conclude that an eco-city is a city in which the urban population, scale of land use and intensity of human activities are limited to the regional resource and environmental carrying capacity, which does not cause increasing or irreversible damage to the regional ecosystem’s structure, functions and processes.     

On the Laws and Causes of Socio-economic Territorial Differentiation in Minority Areas in China

Abstract

On the basis of applying quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as GIS technology, this paper established an index system to make a comprehensive evaluation on socioeconomic development of minority areas in China. The result showed that socio-economic development in minority area presents a series of characteristics that the north is high and the south is low, center-margin pattern is obvious and the areas with middle and lower development indices are distributed centrally and continuously. However, the causes of the socioeconomic characteristics mainly include natural conditions, economic development basic, population cultural quality, regional combination and development conditions of mineral and energy resources, informal institutional factors and distribution of major traffic lines.     

基于灾变理论的盐城市土地生态安全评价研究

土地生态安全关系到区域的可续发展。以压力 状态 响应模型与灾变理论相结合,根据盐城市的土地利用特点,分别从社会、经济和生态环境方面构建土地生态安全评价指标体系,分析盐城市2002～2011年的土地生态安全变化情况,找出其中的问题,能为盐城市土地利用可持续发展提供理论依据和参考价值。研究表明：盐城市土地利用生态安全等级除了2003年和2007年为安全等级外,其余8 a均为中等安全、不安全和极不安全等级,而且基本呈逐年下降趋势;人口、环保投入和城镇化是导致盐城市土地利用生态安全等级下降的重要影响因素,这种现实状况应该引起政府相关决策部门的高度重视,最后提出了几点建议     

基于耕作半径分析的县域农村居民点空间布局优化——以安徽省埇桥区为例

分析了安徽省埇桥区农村居民点与耕地的空间邻接特征和数量结构关系,通过“均等”和“耕聚比”的方法分别求算耕作半径并构造缓冲区,得出两种耕作压力系数的分布,对其进行比较并提出了农村居民点布局优化策略。结果表明：耕地是皖北平原地区影响农村居民点布局的主要因子,基于各乡（镇）统计的耕地与农村居民点面积存在较好的线性相关;基于“耕聚比”的计算模型较好地解决了农村居民点规模因素对耕作半径计算造成的影响;基于“耕聚比”的方法计算的耕作压力分布在评价耕地与农村居民点的分布合理性上更为实用;耕作压力系数分布对农村居民点合理布局具有一定的指导意义,布局调整中应将压力系数高的地区的拆旧和压力系数低的地区的建新相挂钩     

Towards Sustainable Urban Environmental Management in Jiangyin city,East China

Abstract

Dramatic economic and social changes have taken place in Jiangyin city due to rapid and uneven urbanization and industrialization. The environmental degradation has followed driven by these changes since the 1980's. With the pressures and effects of environmental deterioration, the city has implemented environmental management to hold back the trends of negative environmental changes. From the viewpoint of systems, DPSER is a good model for urban environmental changes to understand the causes, pressure, state, effect, existing responses and future action strategies. We took Jiangyin city, a developed city in South Jiangsu province, East China, as an example, and analyzed the characteristics of environmental changes and urban responses using DPSER model. Some operational strategies have been put forward to direct the city environmental management towards a sustainable road step by step.     

基于可变模糊集理论及其模型的水利规划环境影响综合评价

地区水利规划环评处于起步阶段,存在评价形式化、方法单一化以及指标权重确定的主观性较强等问题。针对以往评价中的不足,提出了运用可变模糊集理论及其模型进行综合评价的方法。以江苏省水利发展规划作为研究实例,建立指标体系,采用模糊聚类循环迭代模型进行主客观综合指标权重的计算;从重点工程空间布局角度出发,运用调整后的可变模糊识别模型进行各市环境影响的相对优属度计算。结果表明,全省规划方案的环境影响相对优属度大于现状和零方案,南通市的相对优属度最大,其次是苏州和无锡。与层次分析法进行对比,该理论及其模型适用于地区水利规划环境影响综合评价     

城市建设用地利用效率的空间非均衡及影响因素

探寻空间差异视角下中国城市建设用地利用效率的基本特征及其内在机制对于创新城市建设用地高效配置路径、实现区域协调发展具有重要的现实意义。本文以中国大陆31个省(直辖市、自治区)2001—2014年数据为研究样本,在构建城市建设用地利用效率评价指标体系的基础上,采用数据包络分析方法测度中国城市建设用地利用效率综合指数,并根据MookherieeShorrocks提出的基尼系数分解方法,结合面板数据模型对中国城市建设用地利用效率的空间非均衡程度及其影响因素进行了定量刻画。结果表明:1中国城市建设用地利用效率表现出明显的空间非均衡特征,基本呈现出东部地区西部地区中部地区的地理格局,且从数据包络分析结果来看,中国城市建设用地利用效率总体上呈下降趋势,平均效率指数从2001年的0.750 1下降至2014年的0.694 8;2在全国层面和区域层面,城市建设用地利用效率的空间非均衡程度均不断加剧,基尼系数表现出"稳定上升——逐渐下降——趋于稳定"的变化路径,且从东、中、西部地区基尼系数平均值来看,东部地区城市建设用地利用效率的空间非均衡程度低于中部和西部地区;3三大区域分组设定的情况下,组内差异增加是中国城市建设用地利用效率空间非均衡程度加剧的主要来源,但其贡献率表现出逐渐缩小的趋势;4政策因素、发展因素、规模因素和结构因素是导致城市建设用地利用效率空间非均衡的主要原因,但是从面板数据模型回归结果来看,仅在西部地区,所有变量都通过了显著性检验,在全国和东、中部地区,各变量的显著性结果存在差异。