Analysis & Optimuization On Urban Open Space System Of Luoyang In Urbanizing Progress

Bringing vitality to Chinese cities, urbanizing process has far-reaching implications for all aspects of Chinese urban development. Since 1990s, the city of Luoyang has been undergoing rapid urbanizing process. Fast growing urban population, massive expansion of built up area, and fast growing industries have made tremendous impact on the open space system of the city. Remote sensed images, land use data, social-economic statistics and ancillary data are used in the study. ERDAS8.6, ArcGIS9.3, Fragstats3.3 are employed to carry out the Huff model, Space Syntax and GIS technology. Based on System Theory, Control Theory of Urban Ecology, Urban Development Theory, and Open Space System Theory, this paper first focuses on the relationship between the urban land use pattern, population size and land expansion. The composition, structure and functionality of the open space system in 20 years (1988-2008) are examined. By unveiling the impact of urbanizing process on the open space system, this paper discovers the variation pattern of the open space system and the culprit of current problems. A reasonable and feasible research plan is designed to help optimize the current open space system. The paper includes 3 parts: fundamental study, empirical research and conclusions. They can be further divided into 9 chapters: introduction, progress in urban open space research, theory of open space system optimization, evolution of space structure of Luoyang in urbanization, analysis and optimization of open space system in Luoyang, analysis and optimization of green open space system, analysis and optimization of gray open space system, analysis and optimization of blue open space system, and finally conclusions. Below are the main conclusions of the study:(1) Urbanization being the ultimate driving force behind the enormous inner change of open space systemInner structure and overall pattern of open space system in Luoyang witness remarkable changes during rapid urbanization process. Long time variation of landscape pattern indices from analysis in ArcGIS9.3 and Fragstats3.3 proves the impact of urbanization on different open space elements. Inner structure of open space system shows eminent directional and striped patterns, which proves to be the direct response to urban development policies. (2) Different open space elements showing diverse responses to urbanizing processUrbanization contributes to changes in the inner structure of open space system. The green, gray and blue open space elements have their intrinsic attributes which producing significantly different responses to urbanization. The green open space elements in the inner ring are small in size and numbers. In the medium ring they can neither connect with one another nor extend outwards. They seem directional in the outer ring, but their unbalanced system structure restricts their ecological functionality. There's significant improvement for gray open space elements, including construction of squares, and the harmonious spatial configuration of squares with surroundings. However, they are out of balance in the whole system. The development of Luoyang's Luonan district spurs the structural configuration of urban road network. But it also puts too much pressure on the traffic system across Jian River and Luo River. In general, the road network in Luonan district is better than other parts of the city. The blue open space elements are being polluted by sewage from factories and households. With the water quality being severely compromised, the ecological functionality of the blue open space is threatened.(3) Measurement of urban land expansion as the basis for analysis and optimization of open space systemThe most prominent indications of urbanization are rapid centralization of population and fast expansion of built up area. High speed and extensive urban sprawl brings sharp change to the open space system in Luoyang. Especially the construction of Luonan district leads to unbalanced development of the open space system. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of remote sensed images and the allometric model reveals the relationship between urban residents and the built up area, showing clearly the evolution of land use changes in Luoyang. From 1998 to 2008 the reckless expansion of built up area squeezed the green and blue open space, which undermined the ecological integrity of Luoyang in all scales. Meanwhile the elements of open space system were disconnected. The fragile environment around the built up area was further deteriorated. The speed of the built up area expansion is larger than that of population centralization, making the urban growth unreasonable in long period.(4) Open space system optimization being a prerequisite for reasonable urban space configurationThe optimization of urban space configuration emphasizes ecological pattern rather than functional structure, ecological mode rather than urban morphology. The ecological functionality of the open space system should be valued. And open space system optimization is the prerequisite for reasonable urban space configuration. So the open space system optimization in Luoyang is carried out. Using green core team model for optimization, the paper shows that the space configuration of Luoyang is in the green-core-circle-radiation pattern. From aspects of static pattern, dynamic extension and expecting functionality, the paper articulates the spatial configuration of different functional regions. The way and form of future extension are designed to strengthen relationships of all the urban districts and functional teams, ultimately ensuring reasonable spatial configuration of the city.(5) Synchronization of open space rings being the key to open space system optimizationSynchronization of open space rings is open space system optimization of infra- and inter-rings. Optimization of infra-rings adjusts the ratio and composition of the green, gray and blue elements in order to improve the space configuration in the small scale and boost the overall functionality of the 3 rings. Optimization of inter-rings coordinates the connection of open space elements in the 3 rings to renovate the ring-like space structure in the large scale and enhance the functionality of the open space system for urban ecological system and urban space structure. Synchronization of open space rings reconstructs the complicated network structure of the open space system, which is the key to system optimization.(6) Optimization of open space elements being the core of open space system optimizationOptimization of open space elements focuses on ratios and compositions of open space elements in different rings and ranks. The paper begins with the optimization of the simplest, fundamental open space units. In the optimization of open space elements such as green space, squares, streets, rivers and banks, every detail is cautiously studied thoroughly to improve functionality of the open space system and structure of the ecological system.(7) Open space system optimization being an effective way to ensure sustainable urban developmentUsing System Theory as the principle, the paper combines Control Theory of Urban Ecology and Urban Development Theory to optimize the open space system in Luoyang. By renovating the structure of the open space system and enhancing the synchronization of open space rings, urban space structure can be significantly improved, with perfect urban ecological structure and better ecological functionality. The paper shows that open space system optimization is an effective way to ensure sustainable urban development. The paper examines the relationship of built up area, population size and land expansion in the urbanization and delves in to the result from landscape pattern analysis. The open space system of Luoyang during last 2 decades is analyzed and evaluated before an optimization plan is designed. The study indicates that by optimizing the open space system structure the overall functionality of the urban ecological system can be moderately regulated; hence bring forth better space configuration, ecological functionality, and the ultimate goal of sustainable urban development.