Abstract:

Due to region uneven development, even some areas have the same geographical conditions, they still have significant economical gap. Some areas become parts of the centre metropolis because they have full development with the elements diffusion from centre metropolis. But the some areas become the metropolitan shadow because they lose their economical elements like surplus labors.This paper is an empirical attempt to measure the metropolitan shadow of Shanghai. It reviews a number of metropolitan shadow theories regarding evolutionary mechanisms. Based on the methods of breaking point formula, Kmeans clusterand spatial correlation, it defines the ranges and changes of metropolitan shadow areas between 1990 and 2010 in the YangzeDelta, which were formed due to the influence of Shanghai. An analysis of GDP per capita in county level was used to carry out this study. The results showed as follows. ①“Metropolis shaded area” is a universal phenomenonas as a result of the central city and its surrounding area concentration, radiation effect relationship between different combinations to form, its structure can be divided into two types, namely the “shadow areas” and “penumbra.” “Metropolis shaded area” is not static, but a dynamic regional presence, this dynamic change and urban centers, as well as outlying areas shaded area cities (counties, cities and towns) of the three changes in the spatial pattern of economic development of the state, etc. closely related. ②The range of metropolitan shadow area has high correlation with the centre city, outlying area and shadow city which is in the shadow area. This is not only as a regional center of the city with Shanghai polarization effect, but also with the surrounding counties through its own development initiative to abate. ③The shadow area and semishadow area range of Shanghai have been reduced. ④The shadow areas exist in the southern and northern of Shanghai city. To reduce the effects of metropolitan shadow, it need the centre city to optimize its regulation as well as the shadow areas to adopt positive strategies.