Skip to main content

Central Plains Megalopolis: A Hub for Green Transformation and Development Beyond Just the Beijing-Guangzhou Channel

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
China’s City Cluster Development in the Race to Carbon Neutrality

Part of the book series: Urban Sustainability ((US))

  • 112 Accesses

Abstract

The Central Plain Megalopolis is a major hub for green transformation between two major nodes in China. This chapter briefly introduces the city cluster, provides historical analysis and offers an overview of its population migration. The city cluster's industrial structure is discussed in detail, as it connects east to west, south to north, and is a major intersection in the Beijing-Guangzhou channel/passage. Six areas of the regional development plan are introduced, including 'advanced agriculture', 'advanced industry', 'prosperous culture', 'a beautiful environment', 'social harmony', and 'people's prosperity'. Multiple factors of the regional industrial structure are discussed in detail, indicating the importance of this city cluster at the national level. A comprehensive overview of the cluster's sustainability agenda is provided before we summarise its pathways to carbon neutrality.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bao X (2018) Urban rail transit present situation and future development trends in China: overall analysis based on national policies and strategic plans in 2016–2020. Urban Rail Transit 4(1):1–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bunker EC (1993) Gold in the ancient Chinese world: a cultural puzzle. Artibus Asiae 53(1/2):27–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Cao B (2022) Miaodigounization and Erlitounization: the formation and evolution of the Hua-Xia ethnic group and Hua-Xia tradition from the perspective of archaeology. Int J Anthropol Ethnol 6(1):1–25

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chen Y, Lukash S, Qingran G (2019) Econometric analysis on the relationship between agritourism development and economic growth-the case of central plains economic zone of China. Eкoнoмiкa 33, No., 2, UDC 338.24. Available form: http://econommeneg.btsau.edu.ua/sites/default/files/visnyky/economika/economika_upravl_apk_2_2019.pdf#page=33

  5. Cheshmehzangi A (2014) The urban and urbanism: China’s new urbanization and approaches towards comprehensive development. Int J Interdiscip Environ Stud 8(3–4):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cheshmehzangi A (2016) China’s New-Type Urbanisation Plan (NUP) and the foreseeing challenges for decarbonization of cities: a review. Energy Procedia 104:146–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Cheshmehzangi A (2020) Towards urban energy management: a brief review of China’s recent transition in urban energy demand. Low Carbon Economy 11(01):1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cheshmehzangi A, Dawodu A, Sharifi A (2021) Sustainable urbanism in China. Routledge, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  9. Cheshmehzangi A, Li H, Yang X (2018) Low carbon and climate resilient urban development in China. ADB Report, developed for the National Development Reform Committee (NDRC), Beijing, China

    Google Scholar 

  10. China Daily (2017) Megalopolis strategy spurs mid-west China latecomers. Available from: http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2013-12/06/content_17158442_2.htm

  11. China Daily (2021) A new stage of urbanization: a look at China Integrated City Index. Available from: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202104/17/WS607a4d45a31024ad0bab631e.html

  12. Dai LL, Li ZP, Zhao CQ, Yuan J, Hou LL, Wang CS, Fuller BT, Hu YW (2016) An isotopic perspective on animal husbandry at the Xinzhai site during the initial stage of the legendary Xia Dynasty (2070–1600 BC). Int J Osteoarchaeol 26(5):885–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Dong Y, Jin G, Deng X, Wu F (2021) Multidimensional measurement of poverty and its spatio-temporal dynamics in China from the perspective of development geography. J Geog Sci 31(1):130–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Du Y (2021) Transformation and revival: research on urban development strategic planning for HanDan under the dual dilemma of resource-based industry transition and regional spatial marginalization. Master Disseration at Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands. Available from: https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid:3f183391-5bfb-4155-9733-89a7a77c5897

  15. Fang C, Yu D (2020) China’s urban agglomerations. Springer, Cham, pp 1–32

    Book  Google Scholar 

  16. Fu X, Li L, Lei Y, Wu S, Yan D, Luo X, Luo H (2020) The economic loss of health effect damages from PM2. 5 pollution in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(20):25434–25449

    Google Scholar 

  17. Guo T, Wang Y (2019) Big data application issues in the agricultural modernization of China. Ekoloji 28(107):3677–3688

    Google Scholar 

  18. Guo X, Zhang J, Zhou B, Liu W, Pei J, Guan Y (2019) Sponge roads: the permeable asphalt pavement structures based on rainfall characteristics in central plains urban agglomeration of China. Water Sci Technol 80(9):1740–1750

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. He N (2018) Taosi: an archaeological example of urbanization as a political center in prehistoric China. Archaeol Res Asia 14:20–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Huang W, Xi M, Lu S, Taghizadeh-Hesary F (2021) Rise and fall of the grand canal in the ancient Kaifeng city of China: role of the grand canal and water supply in urban and regional development. Water 13(14):1932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jiao J, Zhang F, Liu J (2020) A spatiotemporal analysis of the robustness of high-speed rail network in China. Transp Res Part D: Transp Environ 89:102584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Jin F, Wang C, Li X, Wang JE (2010) China’s regional transport dominance: density, proximity, and accessibility. J Geog Sci 20(2):295–309

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jin F, Ding J, Wang JE, Liu D, Wang C (2012) Transportation development transition in China. Chin Geogra Sci 22(3):319–333

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Jin M, Lancia M, Tian Y, Viaroli S, Andrews C, Liu J, Zheng C (2021) Hydrogeological criteria to improve the sponge city strategy of China. Front Environ Sci 238

    Google Scholar 

  25. Jing Y, Campbell R, Castellano L, Xianglong C (2020) Subsistence and persistence: agriculture in the central plains of China through the Neolithic to Bronze age transition. Antiquity 94(376):900–915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kang P, Song G, Chen D, Duan H, Zhong R (2020) Characterizing the generation and spatial patterns of carbon emissions from urban express delivery service in China. Environ Impact Assess Rev 80:106336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kenderdine T (2017) China’s industrial policy, strategic emerging industries and space law. Asia Pac Policy Stud 4(2):325–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kong F, Zhang H, Meng X, Li S, Liu J (2022) Can the policy of national urban agglomeration improve economic and environmental gains? evidence from Quasi-natural experiments with 280 cities in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(13):7596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Lai H (2007) Developing central China: a new regional programme. China: Int J 5(1):109–128

    Google Scholar 

  30. Li L, Ma S, Zheng Y, Xiao X (2022) Integrated regional development: Comparison of urban agglomeration policies in China. Land Use Policy 114:105939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Li L, Shan Y, Lei Y, Wu S, Yu X, Lin X, Chen Y (2019) Decoupling of economic growth and emissions in China’s cities: a case study of the central plains urban agglomeration. Appl Energy 244:36–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Li R, Zhang C (2020) Selection and application of garden plants in the construction of Sponge City in Northwest China. J Coast Res 103(SI):1139–1143

    Google Scholar 

  33. Li X (2018) Research on the predicaments and countermeasures for the modernization of central plains’ traditional culture. In: At the 4th international conference on economics, management and humanities science (ECOMHS 2018). Available from: https://webofproceedings.org/proceedings_series/ECOM/ECOMHS%202018/ECOMHS97013.pdf

  34. Li X, Liu X (2018) Green development model of China’s small and medium-sized cities. Springer, Singapore

    Book  Google Scholar 

  35. Li Y, Yin S, Yu S, Bai L, Wang X, Lu X, Ma S (2021) Characteristics of ozone pollution and the sensitivity to precursors during early summer in central plain, China. J Environ Sci 99:354–368

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Li Y, Yuan X, Tang Y, Wang Q, Ma Q, Mu R, Fu J, Hong J, Kellett J, Zuo J (2020) Integrated assessment of the environmental and economic effects of “coal-to-gas conversion” project in rural areas of northern China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(13):14503–14514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Liang L, Chen M, Luo X, Xian Y (2021) Changes pattern in the population and economic gravity centers since the reform and opening up in China: the widening gaps between the South and North. J Clean Prod 310:127379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Liao B, Li L (2022) How can green building development promote carbon emission reduction efficiency of the construction industry? Based on the dual perspective of industry and space. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29(7):9852–9866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Liao L, Zhao C, Li X, Qin J (2021) Towards low carbon development: The role of forest city constructions in China. Ecol Ind 131:108199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lin GC (2002) The growth and structural change of Chinese cities: a contextual and geographic analysis. Cities 19(5):299–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Liu X (2018) International communication of intangible cultural heritage in central plains: a case study of Chinese Wushu. Int J Soc Sci Humanities 2(3):196–204

    Google Scholar 

  42. Liu Y (2021) Spread of artistic spirit of chinese historical drama songs. Tob Regul Sci 7(5):3652–3663

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Liu YJ (2014) Urban spatial strategic research and its practice in China-a case study of the central plain cities. In: Advanced materials research, vol 838. Trans Tech Publications Ltd., pp 3050–3053

    Google Scholar 

  44. Long Y, Huixuan H (2013) The adjustment of China’s regional development strategy and its impact on intergovernmental relations. In: Mierzejewski D (ed) Dimensions of Development. East Asia in the process of changes. Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego, Łódź 2013; Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego

    Google Scholar 

  45. Lukash SM, Yang C (2019) Econometric analysis on the relationship between agritourism development and economic growth-the case of central plains economic zone of China. Available from: http://repo.snau.edu.ua/handle/123456789/8387

  46. Ministry of Mineral Resources (2020) China mineral resources. Available from: https://www.mnr.gov.cn/sj/sjfw/kc_19263/zgkczybg/202010/P020201022612392451059.pdf

  47. Naughton BJ (2018) The Chinese economy: adaptation and growth. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  48. Pan J (2016) China’s environmental governing and ecological civilization. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  49. Pan J, Lai J (2019) Spatial pattern of population mobility among cities in China: case study of the national day plus mid-autumn festival based on tencent migration data. Cities 94:55–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Qi J, Zhao J, Li W, Peng X, Wu B, Wang H (2016) Development of circular economy in China. Springer, Singapore, p 273

    Book  Google Scholar 

  51. Ramondetti L (2022) The enriched field: urbanising the central plains of China. Birkhäuser, Basel

    Google Scholar 

  52. Shi J, Huang W, Han H, Xu C (2021) Pollution control of wastewater from the coal chemical industry in China: environmental management policy and technical standards. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 143:110883

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Song X, Hao Y (2021) Research on the vehicle emission characteristics and its prevention and control strategy in the central plains urban agglomeration, China. Sustainability 13(3):1119

    Google Scholar 

  54. Su B, Heshmati A, Geng Y, Yu X (2013) A review of the circular economy in China: moving from rhetoric to implementation. J Clean Prod 42:215–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Su Y, Liu L, Fang XQ, Ma YN (2016) The relationship between climate change and wars waged between nomadic and farming groups from the Western Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty period. Clim Past 12(1):137–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Tan J, Wang R (2021) Research on evaluation and influencing factors of regional ecological efficiency from the perspective of carbon neutrality. J Environ Manage 294:113030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Tian Y, Jiang G, Zhou D, Ding K, Su S, Zhou T, Chen D (2019) Regional industrial transfer in the Jingjinji urban agglomeration, China: an analysis based on a new “transferring area-undertaking area-dynamic process” model. J Clean Prod 235:751–766

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Wan H (2016) Study on tourism of Henan Wushu culture and its sustainable development under construction of central plains economic zone. In: International conference on education, management and computing technology (ICEMCT-16). Atlantis Press, pp 428–432

    Google Scholar 

  59. Wang DG, Niu Y, Qian J (2018) Evolution and optimization of China’s urban tourism spatial structure: a high speed rail perspective. Tour Manage 64:218–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Wang J, Liu S (2018) SWOT Analysis of the development planning of central plains urban agglomeration under the background of new era. In: The 4th international conference on innovative development of E-commerce and logistics (ICIDEL 2018). Available from: http://clausiuspress.com/conferences/LNEMSS/ICIDEL%202018/EL10563.pdf

  61. Wang L, Sun H, Hu X, Leng Z, Zha Z, Zhang Z, Yang J (2021) Measurement of China's provincial consumption-based PM2. 5 emissions and its influencing factors in the perspective of spatial heterogeneity. J Clean Prod 317:128367

    Google Scholar 

  62. Wang X (2016) Empirical analysis of relation between export trade and economic growth in Henan Province. In: 2016 international conference on education, sports, arts and management engineering. Atlantis Press, pp 264–269

    Google Scholar 

  63. Wang X, Fan G (2004) Analysis on the regional disparity in China and the influential factors. Econ Res J 1(4):33–44

    Google Scholar 

  64. Wang X, Zhang W (2019) Efficiency and spatial equity impacts of high-speed rail on the central plains economic region of China. Sustainability 11(9):2583

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Wang Y (2019) The detection method of rural environmental pollutants based on ecological civilization. Ekoloji 28(108):1481–1485

    Google Scholar 

  66. Wang Y, Niu Y, Li M, Yu Q, Chen W (2022) Spatial structure and carbon emission of urban agglomerations: spatiotemporal characteristics and driving forces. Sustain Cities Soc 78:103600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Wang Y, Zhang D, Ji Q, Shi X (2020) Regional renewable energy development in China: a multidimensional assessment. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 124:109797

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Wei H, Nian M, Li L (2020) China’s strategies and policies for regional development during the period of the 14th five-year plan. Chin J Urban Environ Stud 8(02):2050008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Wu F (2015) Planning for growth: urban and regional planning in China. Routledge, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  70. Wu Z, Liu M, Davis J (2005) Land consolidation and productivity in Chinese household crop production. China Econ Rev 16(1):28–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Xiong L, De Jong M, Wang F, Cheng B, Yu C (2018) Spatial spillover effects of environmental pollution in China’s central plains urban agglomeration. Sustainability 10(4):994

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Xiao L (2016) New patterns of global governance and China’s strategy of free trade zone. In: National test. Springer, Singapore, pp 353–419

    Google Scholar 

  73. Xu H (2022) Genius of the central plains. In: The Earliest China. Springer, Singapore, pp 61–74

    Google Scholar 

  74. Xue B, Chen XP, Geng Y, Guo XJ, Lu CP, Zhang ZL, Lu CY (2010) Survey of officials’ awareness on circular economy development in China: based on municipal and county level. Resour Conserv Recycl 54(12):1296–1302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Yan L, Yang R, Lu P, Teng F, Wang X, Zhang L, Chen P, Li X, Guo L, Zhao D (2021) The spatiotemporal evolution of ancient cities from the late Yangshao to Xia and Shang Dynasties in the Central Plains, China. Herit Sci 9(1):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  76. Yang Z, Gao W, Zhao X, Hao C, Xie X (2020) Spatiotemporal patterns of population mobility and its determinants in Chinese cities based on travel big data. Sustainability 12(10):4012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Yuan Y, Zhang Q, Chen S, Li Y (2022) Evaluation of comprehensive benefits of sponge cities using meta-analysis in different geographical environments in China. Sci Total Environ 836:155755

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Zhang A, Deng R (2022) Spatial-temporal evolution and influencing factors of net carbon sink efficiency in Chinese cities under the background of carbon neutrality. J Clean Prod 365:132547

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Zhang J, Wang J, Yang X, Ren S, Ran Q, Hao Y (2021) Does local government competition aggravate haze pollution? a new perspective of factor market distortion. Socioecon Plann Sci 76:100959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Zhang P (2008) Revitalizing old industrial base of Northeast China: process, policy and challenge. Chin Geogra Sci 18(2):109–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Zhao D, Lei Y, Zhang Y, Shi X, Liu X, Xu Y, Xue W (2022) Analysis of vehicular CO2 emission in the central plains of China and its driving forces. Sci Total Environ 814:152758

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Zhao RQ, Zhang S, Huang XJ, Qin YC, Liu Y, Ding ML, Jiao SX (2014) Spatial variation of carbon budget and carbon balance zoning of central plains economic region at county-level. Acta Geogr Sin 69(10):1425–1437

    Google Scholar 

  83. Zhou G, Zhao C, Wu M, Chen Y, Zhou F (2022) Spatial heterogeneity of coupling coordination development between logistics and economy in central plains of China. Discret Dyn Nat Soc

    Google Scholar 

  84. Zhou L (2016) From state to empire: human dietary change on the Central Plains of China from 770 BC to 220 AD. Archaeol Res Asia 20:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  85. Zhou L, Yang S, Han Z, Sun L, Garvie-Lok SJ (2019) Social stratification and human diet in the Eastern Zhou China: An isotopic view from the Central Plains. Archaeol Res Asia 20:100162

    Google Scholar 

  86. Zhu W, Yue Z, He N, Luan K, Ye L, Qian C (2022) Analysis of China’s urban innovation connection network evolution: a case study of Henan Province. Sustainability 14(3):1089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Zhu Y, Shi Y, Jia M (2017) Research on high-end manufacturing and aviation economy development of Henan Province. In: MATEC web of conferences, vol 100. EDP Sciences, p 01009

    Google Scholar 

  88. ZYJJW (2021) China's Ten Years Of Population Migration! 149 cities with a declining population, where they went. <中国十年人口大迁徙!149市人口减少, 他们去了哪里>. Available from: https://www.zyjjw.cn/news/china/2021-08-10/692430.html

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali Cheshmehzangi .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Cheshmehzangi, A., Tang, T. (2022). Central Plains Megalopolis: A Hub for Green Transformation and Development Beyond Just the Beijing-Guangzhou Channel. In: China’s City Cluster Development in the Race to Carbon Neutrality. Urban Sustainability. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7673-5_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7673-5_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-19-7672-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-19-7673-5

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics