Spatial Differentiation and Type Characteristics of Growth and Contraction of Small Towns in Zhejiang Province

Abstract

Based on the data of resident population in built-up areas, the spatial differentiation characteristics of population growth in small towns at county and provincial levels and the characteristics of different types of small towns are analyzed by using the methods of nearest neighbor index, expectation index, differentiation index and nuclear density analysis. The study found that: In terms of the types of growth and contraction, the growth type is strongly concentrated in the area around Hangzhou Bay. Shrinkage type is uniform as a whole and locally agglomerated. The number of stable small towns is small and their distribution is free. In terms of the rate of growth and contraction, the fast-growing small towns are also absolutely clustered around Hangzhou Bay. Slow-growing small towns show the characteristics of north-south differentiation. In terms of contraction rate, small towns with rapid contraction show weak agglomeration characteristics. Relatively concentrated in the south of Xiaoshan and northwest of Tonglu. From the point of view of contraction continuity, it is mainly associated with contraction. From the point of view of stabilization and contraction, the main modes are transitional growth and contraction of fragments. The proximity to the central urban area has become an important factor affecting the growth of small towns. The closer the distance is, the easier the growth will be. In addition, the level of industrial development is another important factor in the growth of small towns, and the driving effect of industry on the growth of urban population is obviously stronger than that of tourism industry.