The purpose of this paper is to analyze the urban spatial structure of three local cities as a conurbation region in Gyungnam through comparing urban growth patterns and exploring spatial interaction in the cities. For this study, statistical data suc...
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the urban spatial structure of three local cities as a conurbation region in Gyungnam through comparing urban growth patterns and exploring spatial interaction in the cities. For this study, statistical data such as population, land use and urban functional distribution patterns were used with a new approach regarding spatial effects through Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis in particular. As a case study, Masan- Changwon-Jinhae (MCJ) Conurbation region was selected to suggest a general urban management plan for the future.
The results of this study are summarized as four main categories: spatial analysis of urban structure, analysis of functional distribution patterns, application of spatial distribution models and spatial interaction analysis.
First, the results of spatial structure analysis are as following;
1. Masan city represented a mono-centric urban structure as an organic city in radial form concentrated in CBD. Jinhae has transformed from a mono-centric structure to a multi-nuclei structure. Changwon have been a form of multi-nuclei structure isolating manufacturing use from residential and commercial use.
2. Urban functions of Masan and Jinhae have concentrated to their CBDs resulting in spillover expansion. On the contrary, the urban structure of Changwon has been decentralized to three nuclei resulting from newtown development.
Second, three methods are used to analyze functional distribution patterns: a central hierarchy analysis by Centrality Index, spatial pattern analyses by Nearest Neighbor Analysis and Spatial Autocorrelation.
1. As a result of Centrality Index Analysis, Masan had played a dominant role as a center of MCJ region. However, Changwon has become more competitive to Masan growing central functions.
2. As a result of Nearest Neighbor Analysis two findings are introduced. With respect to commercial uses, Masan and Changwon have been shown to random distribution pattern, while Jinhae has shown to clustered patterns. With respect to heavy industry, Masan has shown to random-and-disperse pattern and Changwon has perfectly shown to dispersed pattern, while Jinhae has shown to clustered pattern.
3. As a result of distribution pattern analysis by the Spatial Autocorrelation analysis, land price and inter-urban function patterns have influenced one another. The more they have influenced one another, stronger there have been spatial dependency. These phenomena results are founded in such organic cities as Masan and Jinhae.
Third, the results of Spatial Autoregression Model(SAR) can be summarized as followings:
1. Urban functions were mostly affected by commercial areas. Because of a plenty of commercial use, Masan has shown diverse urban functions.
2. With respect to statistical analysis of average land price, commercial variable was significant in Masan, while commercial, business and manufacture variables were significant in Jinhae. It was founded land price was affected mostly by commercial variable.
3. Urban functions have been affected by restaurant and miscellaneous functions in Masan, miscellaneous function in Changwon, and retail function in Jinhae, respectively. It was founded that the average land price was mostly affected by retail function, concentrated in CBD.
4. The SAR was regarded as an effective model (tool) to apply to Masan and Jinhae, whereas it was not applicable to Changwon, taking into consideration of establishment and implementation of urban policies.
Forth, the results of interaction can be summarized as followings;
1. Population movement and urban functions in both Masan and Changwon had a tendency of complementary-competitive- complement- ary relationship.
2. The centroid of population has shifted from Masan to Changwon due to migration/emigration of population from/to Changwon. Shifting population from Masan to Chagwon was due to agglomeration of industry, movement of public institutions, and planned residential development.
3. The center of the MCJ Region commuting has been changed to Changwon from Masan with complementary and competitive relationship.
In summary, Masan city has formed mono-centric structure while Jinhae has shifted to multi-nuclei from mono-centric structure and Changwon has kept a type of multi-nuclei structure. Even though the MCJ region consists of three independent cities, it should be recognized as a metropolitan area (conurbation region) for urban management. Therefore, we need to establish new urban strategies for sharing urban facilities and functions by comprehensive plan for the MCJ region.