The multifunctionality of the suburbs of mega-cities has gained increasing attention among scholars and practitioners in the last few years, for its higher demand and impact on the urban growth poles. This study aims to develop a conceptual model of multifunctional development in urban suburbs and provide a quantitative indicator system at village level to explain the relationships among different rural functions under the influence of urbanization. The conceptual model advances the theoretical discussion on rural multifunctionality from agriculture land to urban suburbs. By analyzing 160 villages of Qingpu District in Shanghai, this study shows that the suburbs have developed their regional multifunctional characteristics with significant spatial differences and conflicts among functions. Spatial location and village committee play an essential role in rural multifunctional development. We suggest that rural development should focus on the dominant function and the reduction of low-efficiency industrial land.

Link:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397519301444?via%3Dihub