Detecting the true urban polycentric pattern of Chinese cities in morphological dimensions: A multiscale analysis based on geospatial big data

With current decentralization trends and polycentric planning efforts, the urban spatial structures of Chinese cities have been changing tremendously. To detect the true urban polycentric pattern of Chinese cities, this article analyzed the urban polycentricity characteristics of 294 cities. The natural cities were delineated by points of interest (POIs), and road networks constituted street blocks. Based on check-in data and new spatial units, centers within both metropolitan areas and central cities were identified and examined. We discovered that all Chinese cities have at least one natural city in their metropolitan areas because of rapid urban sprawl. Although a monocentric structure is still the most common urban spatial structure, 110 Chinese cities displayed different degrees of polycentricity at the metropolitan level. Many natural cities beyond central cities contribute to polycentric development at the metropolitan level. Central cities have maintained their original vitality and importance, most Chinese cities have dispersed urban structures in central cities, and 45 central cities are polycentric. The spatial structures in metropolitan areas are more polycentric than those in central cities. The only 36 cities with polycentric urban structures at both the metropolitan and central city levels are all national or regional central cities in eastern China. • All Chinese cities have at least one natural city in their metropolitan areas because of rapid urban sprawl. • The spatial structures in metropolitan areas are more polycentric than those in central cities. • There are only 36 cities with polycentric structures in both metropolitan areas and central cities.. • Central cities have maintained their original vitality and importance, and most Chinese cities have dispersed urban structures in their central cities.