Reconstruction and pattern analysis of historical urbanization of pre-modern China in the 1910s using topographic maps and the GIS-ESDA model: A case study in Zhejiang Province, China

Abstract

The pattern of urban land use and the level of urbanization in China's pre-modernization period are of great significance for land use and land cover change (LUCC) research. The purpose of this study is to construct a 1910s spatial dataset of provincial land urbanization in pre-modern China. Using historical topographic maps, this study quantitatively reconstructs the built-up area of various cities in Zhejiang Province in the 1910s. The research indicates that: (1) During the early period of the Republic of China, there were a total of 252 cities and towns in Zhejiang Province, including 75 cities at or above the county level, 21 acropolis, and 156 towns. The total built-up area was 140.590 km2. (2) The county-level urbanization level had significant agglomeration characteristics. The overall urbanization rate of land was 0.135%. (3) Hot spots analysis showed that the Hang-Jia-Hu-Shao plain is hot spot. (4) The correlation coefficient between the city wall perimeter data recorded in the local chronicles and the measured city wall perimeter was 0.908. The research showed that the military topographic maps possessed a good application prospect for the reconstruction of urbanization levels. The research results provide direct evidence for urbanization and urban land use in China's pre-modernization period.