Spatial-temporal Changes of Urban Spatial Morphology in China

Fractal dimensions, compact ratios, shape indices and types of urban l and expansion of 31 Chinese cities in 1990 and 2000 were computed by using dynam ic land-use data from the National Resources and Environmental Database establis hed by the IGSNRR, CAS. The results show, during the period from 1990 to 2000, t hat the type of urban land expansion belongs mostly to the 'extension' types and the cities with the 'filling' land expansion are almost located in the flat reg ions. Generally, fractal dimensions of 31 Chinese cities were inclined to reduce and fractal dimensions of the southern cities are more than those of the northe rn cities, compact ratios of most of the cities increased, urban shape indices o f most of the cities decreased, during the period from 1990 to 2000. In all the 31 cities, the changes in the planar configurations of Guangzhou, Nanchang, Jina n, Chengdu, Beijing and Shanghai are the greatest, while the changes of Lanzhou, Taiyuan and Tangshan's configurations are the least. Such a simple rule is reve aled that the fractal dimensions would reduce, compact ratio would increase and shape index would decrease if the type of urban land expansion belongs to the 'f illing' type and vice versa.