Abstract:

In the context of globalization, as a new kind of urban spatial and functional form, global city regions are submerged into the global economic network through global and subglobal cities, and are showing increasingly important functions in the global city system. Through the analysis of the globalization process of the Yangtze River Delta and incorporation of cities and towns in this area, the authors point out that this region is the most probable region to become the global city region in China. Then, from the angle of reorganizing and upgrading the spatial and functional structure of the global city region, it is proposed that Shanghai should enhance its function as a global city; Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Ningbo should function as subglobal cities; the interrelations among cities should be strengthened; and the regional supporting network of traffic, communication and market etc should be constructed. Thus, the polycentric, network integrative global city region can be established. In addition, the paper suggests several strategic districts to promote the construction of the global city region in the Yangtze River Delta.

Key words: global city, global cityregions, the Yangtze River Delta