Evolution assessment of china’s three mega-city regions based on entire-array-polygon method

Mega-city region is the mainstream of global urban development and also the dominant model of the neo urbanization process in China. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, Yangtze River Delta area and Pearl River Delta area are China’s three largest and most mature mega-city regions, the status of which represents the general level of the urban and regional development in China. Based on entire-array-polygon method, this paper makes a comprehensive evolution assessment of the three mega-city regions in terms of urban population index, urban economy index, urban life index, urban culture index and urban primacy index. In terms of general developing level, the three mega-city regions have progressed to optimize the structure. With their respective advantages and disadvantages, the three mega-city regions initially realize a “diversified” regional layout. The difference and gap among the three mega-city regions are obviously decreasing, which contributes to the regional balance of China metropolitan development. The rankings of the three mega-city regions will be in a continuous adjustment. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area is possible to catch up and take the lead.