Study on Characteristics and Policy Recommendations of Small Towns in View of Regional Development Strategy in the Coastal Area of Jiangsu Province, China

Abstract

On the background of new-type urbanisation, a method that solves the problem and accelerates the development of towns still requires further discussion. This study analyses the state of central towns in the coastal area of Jiangsu Province, China during the implementation of the coastal development strategy, based on the framework of a sustainable city. Results indicate that small towns have experienced improvements in the economy, society, and the environment to different degrees during the past years and have faced the challenges of a lack of comprehensive planning, unreasonable industrial structure, and low capacity and attraction. Some towns have even shrunk during the rapid urbanisation process at the regional level. Thus, this study suggests that (1) systematic planning is necessary to provide guidance to different towns; (2) high-input and polluting enterprises should be avoided in exchange for economic development; (3) coastal region features should be identified and highlighted in the space design; (4) an urban infrastructure system should be established and improved to enhance the capacity of the city; and (5) reform should be explored under the strategy framework for coastal development of the country.