Scholars propose high-quality city clusters along the Yellow River
Scholars exchange views on urban development and ecological protection in the Yellow River basin at a forum in Binzhou, Shandong, in mid-October. Photo: BINZHOUW
A seminar on the high-quality development of central cities and urban agglomerations along the Yellow River basin was held in Binzhou, Shandong, on Oct. 16.
In order to promote the high-quality development of central cities and city clusters in the Yellow River basin, we should first recognize the region's special strategic position, said Ren Baoping, vice president of Xi'an University of Finance and Economics. First of all, the basin occupies an important ecological strategic position. It has critical ecological value as an important water resource area in China. As the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin have risen to national strategic importance, restoring and protecting ecological environments will strongly support the basin's sustainable economic and social development.
The area also matters for its strategic economic position. Given that most of the nine provinces in the basin are located in north China, the coordinated development of upper and lower reaches will, to a large extent, solve the dilemma of a widening gap in economic development between the North and the South, advancing the high-quality economic development in the country. In addition, the basin has a strategic modernization position. With relatively concentrated impoverished populations, the basin represents the core area for focus on poverty alleviation. It is related to the construction of a moderately prosperous society in all respects and the realization of modernization.
The development of urban agglomerations in the basin faces two major problems, said Wei Jian, a professor from the School of Law at Shandong University. Most of these city clusters are underdeveloped and low-quality, and the region lacks mega cities that are capable of participation in global competition and the division of labor. In addition, the high-quality development of these city clusters encounters strong objective constraints such as the constraints of water, sand, and other factor endowments.
Urban development in the Hetao region of the Yellow River basin can inspire the construction of urban clusters in the basin, said Yang Rui, dean and professor of the School of Ethnology at North Minzu University. We should recognize the role of shipping cultures in supporting cities along the river, utilize the linkage between cities, and highlight the river's linking role.
Considering the large differences in economic development and ecological environments within the basin, the high-quality development of urban agglomerations should form distinctive development models according to local conditions, Ren suggested. We should establish an implementation mechanism for the main functional areas, and divide the basin into four areas: an optimized development area, a key development area, a restricted development area, and a prohibited development area. Development modes, goals, and tasks related to high-quality development should be set according to specific natural conditions and economic development levels.
Attention should also be paid to establishing and improving the Yellow River water rights market. By improving the formation mechanisms for water prices and strengthening the management of water rights, we can enhance the carrying capacity of the entire basin's water resources. A modern industrial system is also required. The industrial division system should be rationally arranged according to varied natural environments and factor endowments in the basin, Ren added.
The basin consists of many city clusters, including the Guanzhong Plain city cluster, the Central Plains city cluster, and the Shandong Peninsula city cluster. On the whole, competition is more than cooperation within these city clusters, said Ning Yuemin, a professor from the School of Urban and Regional Science at East China Normal University.
The basin's regional development will reach a breakthrough by building metropolitan areas led by central cities under a coordinated regional development strategy, said Zhao Qiaoyan, a professor from the Faculty of Culture Tourism at Shanxi University of Finance and Economics. With the construction of the basin's urban agglomerations, we should fully utilize the role of cultural heritage and promote the high-quality development of tourism.
Ai Shaowei, a professor from the Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development at Henan University, pointed out the problems of obvious urban homogeneity and, ignoring urban cultural connotations.
Central cities and city clusters along the river should be built to facilitate the inter-regional flow of factors of production and form a regional economic layout that features complementary advantages and high-quality development. Furthermore, central cities should have a leading role, while peripheral cities should have differentiated functional positioning to achieve characteristic development. In addition, the basin's urban development requires improved infrastructure construction, such as transportation that is high-density and more convenient, concluded Zhou Zhonggao, vice chairman of Shandong Federation of Social Sciences.
Edited by YANG LANLAN
PRINT
CLOSE