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Shrinking cities in China: Evidence from the latest two population censuses 2010–2020

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  • Xiangfeng Meng

    (School of Architecture, 12442Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)

  • Ying Long

    (School of Architecture and Hang Lung Center for Real Estate, Key Laboratory of Ecological Planning & Green Building, Ministry of Education, 12442Tsinghua University, Beijing, China)

Abstract

As the world's largest developing country, most Chinese cities are experiencing both population shrinkage and spatial expansion in the context of rapid urbanisation. To address the negative impacts of urban shrinkage in a targeted manner, it is necessary to accurately identify shrinking cities in China. In this study, we utilise the sixth and latest seventh population census data to identify and map shrinking cities in China that are experiencing population loss between 2010 and 2020. As a result, we identified 1507 shrinking districts and counties (52% of all 2896 districts and counties in China), with a total area of 4.4 million km 2 , covering almost 46% of China's territory. In addition, we further found that from 2010 to 2020, there are 266 shrinking cities in China, an increase of 86 (12%) compared with 2000–2010. This indicates that the situation of shrinking cities in China has become more critical. From the perspective of spatial distribution, Chinese shrinking cities are clustered, mainly in the northeast and central regions. We also plot the proportion of shrinkage in a deformed form to reveal which prefecture-level cities are losing population from 2010 to 2020. Our findings provide policymakers and urban planners with a reference and warning that measures should be taken to adjust the growth-oriented planning paradigm to reverse the negative impact of population loss on urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiangfeng Meng & Ying Long, 2022. "Shrinking cities in China: Evidence from the latest two population censuses 2010–2020," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 54(3), pages 449-453, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:54:y:2022:i:3:p:449-453
    DOI: 10.1177/0308518X221076499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiangfeng Meng & Zhidian Jiang & Xinyu Wang & Ying Long, 2021. "Shrinking cities on the globe: Evidence from LandScan 2000–2019," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 53(6), pages 1244-1248, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Qingsong He & Miao Yan & Linzi Zheng & Bo Wang & Jiang Zhou, 2023. "The Effect of Urban Form on Urban Shrinkage—A Study of 293 Chinese Cities Using Geodetector," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Qi Wang & Zhongling Xin & Fangqu Niu, 2022. "Analysis of the Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Shrinking Cities in China: Evidence from Nighttime Light," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Xiaoming Ding & Shangkun Yu & Yi Miao & Chengxin Wang & Zhenxing Jin, 2022. "Types, Modes and Influencing Factors of Urban Shrinkage: Evidence from the Yellow River Basin, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, July.
    4. Hongru Fang & Ran Li & Wenxing Li, 2023. "Urban Shrinkage and Labor Investment Efficiency: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Wei Liu & Yao Tong & Jing Zhang & Zuopeng Ma & Guolei Zhou & Yanjun Liu, 2022. "Hierarchical Correlates of the Shrinkage of Cities and Towns in Northeast China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-21, December.
    6. Wei Gao & Xinzheng Zhao & Jianwei Li & Dekang Zhang & Yang Rui & Tongsheng Li & Min Lei, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Pattern Identification and Driving Mechanism of Urban Shrinkage in the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2020," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-19, August.
    7. Dingpan Chen & Yuzhe Wu & Zhou Lin & Zhiyi Xu, 2022. "County-Level City Shrinkage in China: Representation, Cause, and Response," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    8. Lu, Yuxin & Sica, Edgardo & Wolszczak-Derlacz, Joanna, 2024. "Global value chains, wages, employment and labour production in China: A regional approach," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 124-142.
    9. Cao, Kexin & Deng, Yu & Wang, Wenxue & Liu, Shenghe, 2023. "The spatial heterogeneity and dynamics of land redevelopment: Evidence from 287 Chinese cities," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).

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