Boosting Growth: Research on the Structure, Spatial Characteristics, and Development Trend of the Chinese Development Zones

Author : Zhiyang Chen

Abstract :Development zones have been serving as one of the most crucial spatial platforms of industrialization and urbanization after the reform and opening-up policy in China. Therefore, it would be necessary to review the comprehensive progression through researching the Chinese development zones. This article constructed the structure of the Chinese development zones through the views of categories, functions, and chronological evolutions. By referring to historical institutionalism, an analysis was performed based on the temporal background of establishment, stages of development, and functional elevations. Evolutionary pattern indicated the expansion of the economic development zones from coastal cities as trails to inland cities and mid to large size cities, and the iteration of high-tech development zones from intellectual condensed cities as trails to promotion in central cities and mid to large size cities on the macro layout. Spatial distribution also suggested a quantitatively descending distribution from the east to the middle and western regions. Based on the status quo of the Chinese development zones, innovative suggestions were proposed for the future development and transformation of the development zones, providing theoretical and exemplified significance for other countries and regions for reference. Index Terms China, Development Zones, Spatial Distribution, Structure, Transformation Development

Keywords :China development zones, spatial distribution, evolution, industrial transformation

Conference Name :International Conference on Urban Development Studies (ICUDS-25)

Conference Place Winnipeg,Canada

Conference Date 27th Nov 2025