Abstract:

The global economy is nurturing an innovative type of polycentric urban configuration—network city, which is composed of two or more physically separated but functionally complementary cities linked by efficient transportation corridors and communication infrastructure. As an important urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta, SuzhouWuxiChangzhou urban agglomeration has the requirement and possibility to construct a networkcity. To begin with, the paper summarizes the theories and principles of networkcity. Then, the strategic significance of the construction of SuzhouWuxiChangzhou urban agglomeration is expounded, and the layout of the urban agglomeration is discussed from 4 aspects including urban function integration, construction of supporting system, organization of functional space, and coordination principles. In the end, it is pointed out that construction of SuzhouWuxiChangzhou networkcity is of great significance to improve the international competitiveness and achieve sustainable development of economy, society and environment of SuzhouWuxiChangzhou urban agglomeration.

Key words: networkcity, SuzhouWuxiChangzhou urban agglomeration, complementarity, horizontal accessibility, interactive growth