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China’s development policies and city size distribution: An analysis based on Zipf’s law

Author

Listed:
  • Li Fang

    (University of Maryland, USA)

  • Peng Li

    (State Information Center, China)

  • Shunfeng Song

    (University of Nevada, USA; Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing, China)

Abstract

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, China’s urban development policies have experienced dramatic changes, from anti-urbanisation before 1978, to anti-large-city-development during 1978–1999 and coordinated urbanisation in 2000–2012. Using city-level data from 1949 to 2012, this paper examines China’s development policies and city size distribution. Evidenced by the Zipf coefficient, we found that China’s city sizes became more evenly distributed before 2000, and this pattern was reversed after 2000. These findings suggest that China’s urban system is strongly affected by its shifting urban development strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Fang & Peng Li & Shunfeng Song, 2017. "China’s development policies and city size distribution: An analysis based on Zipf’s law," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(12), pages 2818-2834, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:54:y:2017:i:12:p:2818-2834
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098016653334
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Pengfei Li & Ming Lu, 2021. "Urban Systems: Understanding and Predicting the Spatial Distribution of China's Population," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 29(4), pages 35-62, July.

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