New spatial dimensions of global cityscapes: From reviewing existing concepts to a conceptual spatial approach  

全球城市景观的概念辨析与整合——一个空间分析的框架（英文）

作　　者：GEORG Isabel BLASCHKE Thomas TAUBENB?CK Hannes 

机构地区：[1]Department of Geoinformatics, University of Salzburg [2]Earth Observation Center (EOC),Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD),German Aerospace Center (DLR)

出　　处：《Journal of Geographical Sciences》2016年第3期355-380,共26页地理学报（英文版）

摘　　要：Current global urbanisation processes are leading to new forms of massive urban constellations. The conceptualisations and classifications of these, however, are often ambiguous, overlap or lag behind in scientific literature. This article examines whether there is a common denominator to define and delimitate–and ultimately map–these new dimensions of cityscapes. In an extensive literature review we analysed and juxtaposed some of the most common concepts such as megacity, megaregion or megalopolis. We observed that many concepts are abstract or unspecific, and for those concepts for which physical parameters exist, the parameters are neither properly defined nor used in standardised ways. While understandably concepts originate from various disciplines, the authors identify a need for more precise definition and use of parameters. We conclude that often, spatial patterns of large urban areas resemble each other considerably but the definitions vary so widely that these differences may surpass any inconsistencies in the spatial delimitation process. In other words, today we have tools such as earth observation data and Geographic Information Systems to parameterise if clear definitions are provided. This appears not to be the case. The limiting factor when delineating large urban areas seems to be a commonly agreed ontology.Current global urbanisation processes are leading to new forms of massive urban constellations. The conceptualisations and classifications of these, however, are often am- biguous, overlap or lag behind in scientific literature. This article examines whether there is a common denominator to define and delimitate-and ultimately map-these new dimensions of cityscapes. In an extensive literature review we analysed and juxtaposed some of the most common concepts such as megacity, megaregion or megalopolis. We observed that many concepts are abstract or unspecific, and for those concepts for which physical parameters exist, the parameters are neither properly defined nor used in standardised ways. While un- derstandably concepts originate from various disciplines, the authors identify a need for more precise definition and use of parameters. We conclude that often, spatial patterns of large urban areas resemble each other considerably but the definitions vary so widely that these differences may surpass any inconsistencies in the spatial delimitation process. In other words, today we have tools such as earth observation data and Geographic Information Systems to parameterise if clear definitions are provided. This appears not to be the case. The limiting factor when delineating large urban areas seems to be a commonly agreed on- tology.

关 键 词：urban concepts large urban areas CONCEPTUALIZATION urbanization MEGACITY METROPOLIS ribbon development urban sprawl conurbation city region agglomeration megaregion urban corridor 

分 类 号：F299.1[经济管理—国民经济]