Spatial-Temporal Contrasts in Integrated Urban-Rural Development in China, 1990–2010

This article aims to investigate the spatial-temporal contrasts in the level of integrated urban-rural development among China’s provinces between 1990 and 2010. Variables were selected to assess the degree of “urban-rural linkage”, a factor that describes the level of integrated urban-rural development in each province. The findings showed that levels of integrated urban-rural development at the provincial level were spatially clustered in China. The eastern provinces had the highest levels of integrated urban-rural development, followed by the central provinces and then the western provinces. The econometric estimation further revealed that spatial-temporal contrasts in integrated urban-rural development in China were strongly related to the development of non-agricultural industries, international trade and infrastructure.