Urban Development with the Constraint of Water Resources: A Case Study of Gansu Section of Western Longhai-Lanxin Economic Zone

Abstract

Water is the essential resource for urban development of Gansu section of West LonghaiLanxin economic zone, which is not only the "Golden Development Line" of Gansu province but also the significant component of the new Silk Road within China. Based on more than 2000 data points reflecting various meaningful aspects of urban systems and water resource systems, and using a quantitative measurement model and ArcGIS, this study aimed at discussing the temporal-spatial variations of water resources constraint on urbanization in the Gansu section. From 1989 to 2007, the water resources constraint intensities (WRCIs) of Gansu section and its nine cities have been generally decreasing, albeit with much fluctuation, and the decrease has been more rapid since 2000, with Lanzhou and Jinchang as the most representative cities. From the perspective of water resource constraint on urbanization, the research on urbanization process of Gansu section is not only necessary for the shaping of an independent theoretical system on relationship between water resource and urbanization, but also has very crucial practical significance for promoting construction of resource-saving and environmentfriendly cities in Gansu section, arid and semi-arid areas as well as for promoting harmonious regional development.

Urban Water Resilience in Landscape of Digitally Connected Built Environment: An Assessment Matrix for Cities of Developing Nations

“…The definition for the urban water resilience, stated at the beginning of this section, describes resilience for whom (water infrastructure), resilience to what (infrastructure degradations, failures, inadequacy of provisioning, calamities or stresses) (15) (16). This definition is modified for its application in a more holistic way to capture the nuances put forth by appraisal of network city concept, for this study, which attempts to capture the urban water resilience, amid the existence of centralized networks, private vendors, illegal water extractions, bore-wells etc.…”