Research Article

China's Shrinkage Varieties: Addressing Long-Term and Recent Population Loss in Eastern and Northeastern Regions

Xiaoxin GanFAFU-DAL Joint College, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

China is facing an increasingly serious problem of urban shrinkage, which is embodied in the long-term massive population loss in the northeast and the short-term small population loss in the East. By comparing the characteristics of cities from several dimensions and referring to some successful cases of preventing urban shrinkage, this paper explores urban shrinkage in two different regions and development models within China. Two typical shrinkage cities, Wenzhou and Jixi, are selected as samples for this study, while statistical analyses are conducted with the help of public government information data. The result of this research is that due to varying city development patterns, Wenzhou and Jixi exhibit distinct types of shrinkage. There are different solutions for different types of urban shrinkage. Both cities should actively explore new industries and upgrade existing ones to enhance livability and community vitality, meeting residents' needs for better lives and achieving a win-win outcome.

Keywords: Shrinking cities; shrinkage types; city development patterns; livability
Published: April 24, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.22401
Volume: CHR Vol.60
pp. 45-51
Download PDF

References

  1. Schilling, J., & Logan, J. (2008). Greening the Rust Belt: A Green Infrastructure Model for Right Sizing America’s Shrinking Cities. Journal of the American Planning Association, 74, 451-466. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944360802354956
  2. Oswalt, P., & Rieniets, T. (2006). Atlas of shrinking cities. Environment and Planning A, 46, 1519-1534.
  3. Haase, A., Rink, D., Grossmann, K., Bernt, M., & Mykhnenko, V. (2014). Conceptualizing Urban shrinkage. Environment and Planning a, 46(7), 1519-1534.
  4. Meng, X., Ma, S., Xiang, W., Kan, C., Wu, K., & Long, Y. (2021). Classification of shrinking cities in China using Baidu big data. Acta Geographica Sinica, 76(10), 2477-2488. https://doi.org/10.11821/dlxb202110010
  5. Jixi Statistical Yearbook. (2023). Jixi City People's Government. Retrieved from https://www.jixi.gov.cn/jixi/c100333/202406/c06_299158.shtml
  6. Wenzhou Statistical Yearbook. (2024). Wenzhou City People's Government. Retrieved from https://www.wenzhou.gov.cn/col/col1229696377/index.html
  7. Jixi Municipal Government. (n.d.). Welcome to Jixi. Retrieved from https://www.jixi.gov.cn/jixi/c100050/zjjx.shtml
  8. Jixi municipal government budget public (2024). Jixi City People's Government. Retrieved from https://www.jixi.gov.cn/jixi/c100345kr/202402/c06_286857.shtml
  9. Wenzhou Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Wenzhou economic operation rebound and high-quality development achievement. Retrieved from https://wztjj.wenzhou.gov.cn/art/2024/1/25/art_1229429195_4218999.html
  10. Hospers, G. J. (2004). Restructuring Europe’s rustbelt: The case of the German Ruhrgebiet. Intereconomics, 39(3), 147-156.
  11. Trippl, M., Sinozic, T., & Lawton Smith, H. (2015). The Role of Universities in Regional Development: Conceptual Models and Policy Institutions in the UK, Sweden and Austria. European Planning Studies, 23(9), 1722-1740. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2015.1052782
  12. Ham, J.C., & Swenson, C.W. (2011). Government programs can improve local labor markets: Evidence from State Enterprise Zones, Federal Empowerment Zones and Federal Enterprise Community. Journal of Public Economics, 95, 779-797.
  13. Yang, Y. (2022). Analysis of the brand image transformation of Chinese sportswear and sports shoe brands-Based on the cases of Li Ning and Anta. Academic Journal of Business & Management.