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Evolving Residential and Employment Locations and Patterns of Commuting under Hyper Growth: The Case of Guangzhou, China

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  • Si-ming Li

    (Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China, lisiming@hkbu.edu.hk)

Abstract

Chinese cities have experienced rapid growth and restructuring in recent times. This paper examines the evolving residential and employment locations and the changes in the patterns of commuting in Guangzhou, China. Tabulations derived from household surveys conducted in 2001 and 2005 show rapid suburbanisation of both residence and employment. Intrazone traffic today dominates the commuting scene in both the central core and the suburbs. The mean commute distance and mean commute time have increased, but the increases are quite modest. Estimation of residential and employment density gradients reveals differential decentralisation of different population groups. Multivariate analysis indicates that commute distance generally increases with income and occupational status. Males in Guangzhou used to have appreciably shorter commutes than females; but the difference has decreased in recent years, suggesting convergence in commuting behaviour between the Chinese and Western cases.

Suggested Citation

  • Si-ming Li, 2010. "Evolving Residential and Employment Locations and Patterns of Commuting under Hyper Growth: The Case of Guangzhou, China," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(8), pages 1643-1661, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:47:y:2010:i:8:p:1643-1661
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098009356118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Linn, Joshua & Wang, Zhongmin & Xie, Lunyu, 2018. "The long-run effects of housing location on travel behavior: Evidence from China's housing reform," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 114-140.
    3. Andrew R. Watkins, 2016. "Commuting Flows and Labour Market Structure: Modelling Journey to Work Behaviour in an Urban Environment," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(4), pages 612-630, December.
    4. Li, Si-ming & Liu, Yi, 2016. "The jobs-housing relationship and commuting in Guangzhou, China: Hukou and dual structure," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 286-294.

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