Applying a Spatio-Temporal Approach to the Study of Urban Social Landscapes in Tianjin, China

Abstract

China’s economic reforms of 1978, which led to the country’s transition from a centrally-planned to a market-oriented economy, ushered in a phase of accelerated urbanization. Influenced by the economic transition and taking advantage of its privileged geographic and historic position, Tianjin has seen dramatic changes in its social landscape during the last three decades. Given this context, this study aims at understanding the different urban socio-spatial patterns of Tianjin and their mechanisms in three distinctive economic contexts by adapting both statistical and spatial approaches. Due to increasing population mobility caused by the economic reforms, the urban social landscape of Tianjin has become increasingly multifaceted, characterized by a “one axis, two nuclei” urban morphology. The rise of the Binhai New Area (TBNA) in the southeast is creating a dual-core urban social structure in Tianjin, with its traditional Urban Core located in the center of the city. In terms of the Urban Core’s expansion and population movements southeast toward the TBNA, an asymmetric suburbanization process is evident in Tianjin. Meanwhile, an additional population shift toward Beijing in the northwest is significant during 2000-2010, illustrating the changing relationship between these two neighbouring municipalities. By integrating itself with Beijing, Tianjin has not only recovered from under Beijing’s shadow during the centrally-planned economy period, but is also benefitting from Beijing in order to flourish.