Research in the Development of the GBA

The Network Structure Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from the Perspective of Multidimensional Element Flow Space" "4

Wang Qisong， Chen Gang and Zheng Manyin

Abstract： Flow space functions as a pivotal mechanism for cross-boundary integration and development within urban agglomerations， complementing the spatial mechanisms established by administrative boundaries to shape urban and regional development. By leveraging the theory of flow space， this study examines the diverse network structures within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area to provide a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of regional spatial structures and to evaluate the implementation of development strategies. Specifically， the study constructs and analyzes the economic， technological， and information flow networks for the years 2015 and 2020， identifying the evolutionary characteristics and influencing factors of the flow space network structure in the Greater Bay Area. The findings reveal that（1） The multidimensional flow space networks of the GBA all exhibit a core node structure centered around Guangzhou， Shenzhen， and Hong Kong， with the network centrality of Foshan， Zhuhai， and Dongguan gradually increasing; （2） The multidimensional flow space networks of the GBA have gradually shifted from a “Λ” pattern to a “△” spatial pattern; （3） The network correlation exhibits a hierarchy of economy-technology gt; technology-information gt; economy-information; （4） The results of the QAP regression indicate that administrative relations， the level of science and education， and the transportation accessibility have significant and increasing impacts on the multidimensional networks， contributing to the commonalities in the network structures of the GBA. Conversely， the influences of economic development and the industrial system have decreased， leading to differences in the network structures.

Keywords： flow space; multiple network structures; urban network; influencing factors; the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Trends， Constraints， and Strategies to Boost Household Consumption： An Analysis Based on a Survey of Household Consumption in Guangzhou" " "18

He Jiang and Zhang Xiaoying

Abstract： This study analyzes the consumption patterns of urban residents in Guangzhou based on survey data. The findings indicate that， although consumption has shown some recovery since 2023， the rebound has fallen short of expectations. New trends and characteristics have emerged in terms of consumer attitudes， spending content， consumption methods， and scenarios. Several constraints hinder the upgrading of consumption quality： from the demand side， there is insufficient consumer willingness and purchasing power; from the supply side， the adaptability of consumption scenarios to market needs remains inadequate; and from the environmental perspective， transportation conditions and consumer rights protection require further improvement. This study suggests a comprehensive approach to stimulate consumption， which includes enhancing consumer capacity， boosting willingness， expanding service consumption， innovating consumption scenarios， developing urban commercial districts， and optimizing the overall consumption environment.

Keywords： household consumption; boosting consumption， consumer willingness; consumption scenarios; consumption upgrading

City Talks

Exploring Strategic Pathways for China's Urban Development in a Time of Great Changes：Part I" "31

Li Xiaojiang， Qiu Baoxing， Ye Jiaan， Wu Fulong， Lin Chusheng，" Fan Zhifeng， He Shenjing and Yi Chengdong

Urban Space

Transforming Governance Structure in Regional Spatial Planning from the Perspective of Control Rights： A Case Study of the Guangdong Greenways" " 63

Liu Zheng， Li Qianru， Lu Jingsheng， and Wang Shifu

Abstract： The effectiveness of regional governance hinges upon its governance structure. However， this consideration is often absent from studies of the establishment and maintenance of regional greenways， a globally popular regional project for sustainability. Specifically， little research has been done to understand the influence of centralized governance structures on greenway development at the regional level. In this study， we examine three greenway schemes in Guangdong Province， China， to elaborate on the government practices within a centralized institutional framework and the related challenges in governance. Analyzing the distribution of control rights during planning and implementation， this study identifies key characteristics and the associated challenges of governance practices under centralized structures. The provincial government has been proactively and pragmatically refining its regional policies to address issues in early institutional arrangements， through formulating planning decisions， conducting policy evaluations， enhancing policy practices， and facilitating multi-level collaboration with local governments.

Keywords： regional governance; governance structure; control rights; regional greenways

Construction of the People’s Subjectivity in Urban Public Spaces and Its Performance Evaluation" " 75

Xiao Jing， Jiang Jieru， Liu Huanning， Tao Jianyu， and Cao Ke

Abstract： This study examines the fragmented subjectivity of urban public spaces under capitalist production relations， characterized by the separation of producers and consumers， the divide between elites and the masses， and the differentiation of social groups， as well as the supply-demand tensions arising from these dynamics. Guided by the core principle of the “People’s City”， the study analyzes the characteristics of people’s subjectivity in urban public spaces and the orientation toward co-construction and sharing， and accordingly develops its characteristics evaluation and performance appraisal method， addressing three levels of public space needs： material， spiritual， and participatory. The framework introduces three spatial feature evaluation criteria： usability， representativeness， and constructiveness， as well as six evaluation elements： comfortableness， convenience， recognizability， regionalism， inclusiveness， and participality， and three performance measurement indicators： satisfaction， sense of belonging， and frequency of use. The findings reveal that while urban public spaces in China have generally achieved high levels of comfort and convenience， they exhibit significant deficiencies in cultural contextual identities and participatory engagement， failing to fully embody the intrinsic characteristics of the people’s subjectivity. In response， the study proposes a “trinity” construction path and renewal measures of people's subjectivity in urban public spaces which includes usability， representativeness， and constructiveness as a whole. And it concludes that in the context of the “people’s city”， the dialectical unity of “built by the people” and “built for the people” represents both the pathway and objective of urban development， emphasizing the necessity of balancing these two aspects.

Keywords： the people’s city; public space; the people’s subjectivity; spatial performance evaluation; co-construction and sharing

Leaving Space for Potential： Characteristics and Revitalization Strategies of Negative Spaces in Historic Cultural Districts： A Case Study of the Former Customs Building and Surrounding Areas in Guangzhou" " 89

Su Peiying， Tang Zhe， and Wang Shaobin

Abstract： Exploring the formation and characteristics of negative spaces in historic cultural districts and developing corresponding design strategies tailored to the needs of both the space and its users， is vital for the revitalization and preservation of these areas. This approach also facilitates the integration of residential， productive， and ecological functions. Addressing the prevailing “negative interpretations” of negative spaces in domestic planning and design practices， this study argues that negative spaces are those that exist outside of functional buildings within the overall planning and design framework. When these spaces suffer from functional misalignments， careful planning and design interventions can turn them into dynamic and balanced areas that interact harmoniously with their surroundings. Using the Former Customs Building and its surrounding areas in Guangzhou as a case， the study examines existing spatial conditions and proposes strategies for functional transformation and design optimization. These approaches address issues such as limited spatial appeal and imbalances in planning and management. The findings aim to provide practical insights into balancing historic preservation with urban growth， optimizing spatial layouts， enhancing spatial quality， and fostering urban vitality.

Keywords： negative spaces; historic cultural districts; functional transformation; spatial regeneration; vibrant cities

Urban Society

Creative Transformation of the “No-Litigation” Culture in Urban Community-Level Governance： A Case Study of Changqing Garden Management Committee in Dongxihu District， Wuhan City， Hubei Province" " "100

Huang Kaibin

Abstract： The “no-litigation” culture， rooted in rural China， forms an integral part of traditional Chinese culture. It aligns with the “Fengqiao Experience”， a model of excellent social governance by the Communist Party of China， focused on advancing community-level governance. The creative transformation of the “no-litigation” culture within urban community-level governance is a significant practice in upholding and developing the “Fengqiao Experience”. Based on a case analysis， this study reveals that， within urban communities， strengthening party organizations， leveraging the authority of senior party members， and revitalizing traditional forms of local leadership can effectively resolve most minor conflicts and disputes at the community level. Additionally， party-led initiatives that foster emotional authority help to build trust and promote conflict resolution. The study concludes that the integration of “no-litigation” culture with community-level party development offers a theoretically feasible and innovative approach to urban governance.

Keywords： “no-litigation” culture; Fengqiao Experience; urban community-level governance; creative transformation; innovative integration

The Practical Characteristics and Operational Logic of “Community Partners”： An Analysis Based on the 5W Model of Joint Contribution" " 111

Zhang Liangguang

Abstract： The emergence of the “community partner” model shifts residents from passive service recipients to active partners engaged in joint contribution， broad participation， and benefit sharing. This innovative approach enhances community governance systems， strengthens residents’ capacity for self-governance， and addresses current challenges in community management. This study， based on the 5W cooperative production model， analyzes the practical characteristics and operational logic of “community partners” in the provision of community public services. It is found that individuals， enterprises， and social organizations are the main participants （Who）; service design， implementation， and evaluation are the critical stages （When）; and the joint contribution process yields dual outcomes of service provision and value creation （What）. Economic incentives， diverse governance needs， and the improvement of citizens’ qualities drive this model （Why）， with regional policy environments and infrastructure playing a key role in shaping the forms and outcomes of joint contribution （Where）. The study highlights how the “community partner” model enriches the practice of joint contribution， introduces a complex dynamic mechanism， and opens new avenues for creating public value in communities. However， it stresses the importance of guiding the public nature of “community partners” and improving performance evaluation mechanisms to maximize their positive impact on community public services.

Keywords： joint contribution; community partners; community public services; community-level governance

The Role of Medical Social Work in Building Dementia Care Communities： Practical Mechanisms and Emerging Trends" " " 122

Wang Jinyang

Abstract： Amid the accelerating process of population aging， investigating how medical social work contributes to the development of dementia care communities holds profound significance for improving the elderly healthcare system and advancing the Healthy China initiative. This article， based on a case study of medical social workers’ involvement in dementia care in D Community， Beijing， employs observation and interviews to analyze the challenges of fragmented care and health need confronting dementia patients. Furthermore， it summarizes the methodological approaches of medical social work in fostering community-based dementia care networks. The study highlights the role of medical social work in promoting three layers of care communities： emotional communities （micro-level）， resource-sharing communities （meso-level）， and collaborative action communities （macro-level）. The study recommends enhancing the service capacity of medical social work， integrating digital technologies， and advancing dementia care development from the initial “community formation” phase to the mature “community consolidation” phase.

Keywords： medical social work; senile dementia patients; fragmented care; elder care community; Healthy China initiative

Smart City

Building Data Platforms for Urban Intelligent Connected Vehicles： Requirements， Current Status， and Challenges" " "137

Sun Xuan， Zhao Jia， Xu Yaozong， and Ge Peng

Abstract： The rapid development of intelligent and connected vehicle （ICV） technologies has led to profound transformations in the automotive industry and its deep integration with urban governance， signaling that the construction of smart cities in the New Era has entered a period of significant breakthroughs. While national and local policy support has driven significant progress in the construction of ICV data platforms within pilot zones， the development of city-level platforms faces multifaceted challenges. These include coordinating and aligning stakeholder interests， unlocking and leveraging the full potential of data， and innovating sustainable application models. To realize their value and ensure long-term viability， city-level ICV data platforms require the establishment of a robust data application ecosystem. This ecosystem must encompass comprehensive lifecycle data management， seamless cross-departmental data sharing， and the integration of multi-domain applications， the creation of a robust multi-domain application ecosystem for innovation and growth.

Keywords： intelligent connected vehicles; data platform; smart city; new infrastructure; data application ecosystem

Urban Fronts

Urban Safety Science： Content， Risks， and Safeguards from an Interdisciplinary Perspective" " 149

Yang Ka

Abstract： As cities increasingly face uncertainty and complex risks， the interdisciplinary field of urban safety remains in its early stages of development. This study aims to define the scope of urban safety science and establish a structured disciplinary framework. It identifies urban social， economic， and ecological safety as its core components， explores natural， material， and social risk drivers， and proposes a multi-faceted resilience-building and technology system aimed at disaster prevention and mitigation. The foundational work of this study， which focuses on urban safety， contributes to the further refinement of the research framework within the discipline of urban safety science.

Keywords： urban safety science; urban risks; resilience; disaster prevention

（Initial Translation： Tingting Wang， MTI Graduate Student at Renmin University of China;

Translation and Revision： Yunping Niu， Professor at Renmin University of China.）