Hefei: An emerging city in inland China. (July 2018) - Zhao, Wanxia
Abstract: Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province, is located in China's central region. A city with over 2200 years of history, Hefei was still a middle-sized city at the end of 1970s. Over the past decade, however, the city had experienced a dramatic spatial expansion and economic growth. This paper discusses Hefei's history of development, its achievement in socioeconomic and spatial development, and its challenges with regard to future development. Urban researchers have largely ignored cities in China's central region; as such, this paper will serve to enrich the international literature in this field and enable readers to better understand the urbanization and industrialization efforts of a typical emerging city in inland China. Highlights: Introducing the profile of Hefei, an inland city located in China's central region Hefei had experienced a dramatic spatial expansion and economic growth over the past decade. Discussing Hefei's history of development, its achievement in socioeconomic and spatial development, and its challenges Providing better understand of the urbanization and industrialization efforts of a city in inland China