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Urbanisation and City Size Distribution in China

Author

Listed:
  • Shunfeng Song

    (Department of Economics, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557 0207, USA, song@unr.nevadaedu)

  • Kevin Honglin Zhang

    (Department of Economics, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61790-4200, USA, khzhang@ilstu.edu)

Abstract

China has been experiencing rapid urbanisation since the economic reform starting in 1978. The number of cities increased from 191 in 1978 to 667 in 1999, while the urban share of the national population increased from 18 to 31 per cent. This paper examines China's urbanisation and the evolution of its city system. It uses city-level data from 1991 and 1998 to investigate China's city size distribution and its changes. It also discusses how economic and institutional factors affect the urban system and the patterns of urban growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Shunfeng Song & Kevin Honglin Zhang, 2002. "Urbanisation and City Size Distribution in China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 39(12), pages 2317-2327, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:39:y:2002:i:12:p:2317-2327
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098022000033890
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rosen, Kenneth T. & Resnick, Mitchel, 1980. "The size distribution of cities: An examination of the Pareto law and primacy," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 165-186, September.
    2. Parr, John B., 1985. "A note on the size distribution of cities over time," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 199-212, September.
    3. Hikaru Ogawa, 1998. "Preference for Product Variety and City Size," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 35(1), pages 45-51, January.
    4. Xavier Gabaix, 1999. "Zipf's Law for Cities: An Explanation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(3), pages 739-767.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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