Exploring Urban Expansion and Socioeconomic Vitality Using NPP-VIIRS Data in Xia-Zhang-Quan, China

Abstract

Studying the spatiotemporal evolution of urban expansion in the Xia-Zhang-Quan metropolitan area (XZQ) is of crucial importance, to effectively guide coordinated development and industrial adjustment during urbanization. Based on National Polar Partnership-Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP-VIIRS) data this study used an analytical method of irregular spatial grids to explore and evaluate the dynamics of urban spatial expansion and urban socioeconomic vitality in XZQ between 2013 and 2017. The results show that the gulf-type urban development strategy of Xiamen has played a key role in the integration and development of XZQ. The urban area increased by 20–30% and increased intensity of socioeconomic activities was demonstrated by observed increases in the total brightness of urban nighttime light. Due to its unique advantages in the agricultural industries, Zhangzhou made significant economic progress during 2013–2017. At the same time, driven by spatial processes in Xiamen, areas such as the Zhangzhou Port Area and Longhai also achieved significant progress. This is also the case in Quanzhou and thus, collectively there is evidence of multi-polar growth. Jinjiang and Shishi effectively utilized coastal port economy development advantages to play a key role in the integration and development of XZQ. There were both commonalities and differences in terms of the characteristics of spatial expansion in different cities of XZQ. In summary, this study provides evidence to support further promotion of coordinated development in XZQ, and with appropriate caveats these findings could also be transferred to other urban agglomerations.

Regional Poverty and Inequality in the Xiamen-Zhangzhou-Quanzhou City Cluster in China Based on NPP/VIIRS Night-Time Light Imagery

“…After further decomposition, it is found that the inequality gap between two cities is decreasing, while the inequality gap within one city is increasing, which is consistent with the research results of Jiang et al [18]. Jiang et al pointed out that with the improvement of the coordination and integration degree of regional infrastructure construction, the integration trend of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou was more obvious from 2013 to 2018 [18]. From the perspective of urban space, the three cities in the abovementioned study are distributed in a contiguous area, the urban cluster is densely populated with cities, the boundaries between cities are increasingly blurred, and the urban development…”

“…The regression analysis shows that the Theil index of the two is weakly correlated, and the measurement coefficient is R 2 =0.563. After further decomposition, it is found that the inequality gap between two cities is decreasing, while the inequality gap within one city is increasing, which is consistent with the research results of Jiang et al [18]. Jiang et al pointed out that with the improvement of the coordination and integration degree of regional infrastructure construction, the integration trend of Xiamen, Zhangzhou, and Quanzhou was more obvious from 2013 to 2018 [18].…”

Dynamic Expansion of Urban Land in China’s Coastal Zone since 2000

“…The urbanization process in China's coastal zone is significantly affected by resource distribution and the impacts of national and regional development policies [39,40]. A number of studies have been carried out to monitor the spatiotemporal characters of urban land in China's coastal zone [24,39,[41][42][43][44]. Most of these have attached importance to large and developed cities, such as Guangzhou [24], and urban agglomerations [23,39].…”

Evaluation of China’s High-Speed Rail Station Development and Nearby Human Activity Based on Nighttime Light Images

“…Night time light (NTL) uses sensors to record nighttime lights on the surface [ 36 , 37 ], which is a crucial approximation of economic and social development and human activity [ 38 ]. Among them, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program’s Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) data have been widely used since the 1990s [ 39 ]. In 2011, Suomi-NPP Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (NPP/VIIRS) was used to obtain a new generation of nighttime light data [ 40 ].…”