Spatial Optimization Strategies of Population Function in China’s World-class Urban Agglomerations During 14th Five-Year Plan Period

Abstract: Urban agglomerations, including Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta regions, are the large clusters both from population and economic perspectives and have the most active vitality of innovation. To be the worldclass urban agglomerations, population function regulation should highlight the roles of the carrying capacity of resources and the environment, allocation of public service resources, and the challenges of global competitions in the fields of economy and technology. We firstly review the classic theories. Then the distinct characters of population development in China’s urban agglomerations are figured out. Accordingly, the basic laws of population function regulation in urban agglomerations are put forward. In addition, the differentiated strategies are introduced to optimize the population functions in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta regions. Our policy implications aim to promote evolution of urban agglomerations with a more advanced and healthier process, especially during the 14th Five-Year Plan period.