Reflection on Guangzhou’s Strategic Spatial Planning: Current Status, Conflicts, and Dilemmas

Abstract

Strategic spatial planning plays a pivotal role in effectively providing solutions for urban issues. In 2000, Guangzhou took the pioneering step of formulating China’s first strategic spatial plan, known as the Guangzhou Strategic Plan. However, existing research has predominantly focused on the content of the “Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan” while lacking attention to its implementation effects. To address this empirical gap, this paper analyzes Guangzhou’s current spatial structure from the perspectives of facilities, population, and industry. The results reveal that: (1) the effectiveness of the “Southern Expansion” strategy outlined in the Guangzhou Strategic Spatial Plan has been limited. It has not achieved the expected results in terms of facility construction, population attraction, industrial clustering, and value-added growth; (2) due to inherent limitations and a lack of planning support, the development of the new town presents a dilemma. Considering the current spatial structure, this paper reflects on the reasons for the failure of Guangzhou’s strategic spatial planning, aiming to provide insights for the implementation of a new round of strategic spatial planning.