Analysis on Development and Changes of Specialization of Chinese Cities

Urban specialization includes sectoral specialization and functional specialization. The characteristics of sectoralspecialization is based on different industrial sectors, and functional specialization is based on different parts, processes and modules of industrial chain. So, urban specialization will be significantly different when using different division system. Using283 cities as basic spatial units, based on the national census data in 2000 and 2010,computing urban sectoral specialization index, functional specialization index and location quotients of different sector and function of different scale-group cities, this paper researched phase changes of urban specialization level and specialized sector or function of different scale-group cities. By the research,the following conclusions can be drawn: Firstly, on the urban sectoral specialization, the level of large-scale city was low and declining; and manufacturing, financial and real estate industry, social services industry were more specialized. The level of small-scale city was high and rising;energy production and mining industry, construction, traffic postal industry sectors were more specialized. Secondly, on the urban functional specialization, the level of large-scale city was high and had continued to be higher; the specialization level of management control, technology research,the public service function showed a rising trend. The level of small-scale city was low and had continued to decline, and more specialized in commercial service and production operation function. Thirdly, it is very important to strengthen research on functional division based on industry chain; and functional division is becoming an important driving force for the development of the city and the region of our country.