Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 2021, Vol. 76 ›› Issue (2): 352-366.doi: 10.11821/dlxb202102008

• Population and Urban Studies • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Population prediction and resource allocation in megacities from the optimum population perspective: A case study of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen

WANG Yong1,2(), XIE Yanjing1, LIU Rong1, ZHANG Hao1   

  1. 1. School of Statistics, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, Liaoning, China
    2. Postdoctoral Research Station, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian 116025, Liaoning, China
  • Received:2020-03-09 Revised:2020-09-30 Online:2021-02-25 Published:2021-04-25
  • Supported by:
    National Social Science Foundation of China(19CTJ008);"Xingliao Talent" Program(XLYC1907012);Economic and Social Development of Liaoning Province(2020lslktyb-036);Research Project of Education Department of Liaoning Province(LN2019Q48)

Abstract:

Continuous population growth is an important factor affecting the development of megacities. Optimum population can advance the rational allocation of urban resources amidst the continuous growth. By taking the optimum population as a pointcut, this study first uses the possibility-satisfiability (P-S) model to calculate the optimum population size of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in 2035, and then uses the grey back propagation neural network model to predict the resident population of all the four first-tier cities in 2035. Finally, it analyzes all the cities' allocation and planning of resources or infrastructure based on the results, and proposes optimum resource allocation to address an unexpected population growth. The results show that: (1) When the P-S degree is 0.6, the optimum population size of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in 2035 is 21.5269 million, 23.0968 million, 14.9893 million and 13.5219 million, respectively, all below the red line of government planning. (2) The resident population of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in 2035 will exceed the moderate population size and the red line of government planning, while the moderate population size will be lower than the red line of government planning, and the red line of government planning will be lower than that of the resident population. (3) From the perspective of optimum population, in order to cope with future population growth without affecting economic and social development and residential satisfaction, in 2035, the power generation and green areas of Beijing are expected to reach twice the current levels; power generation, green areas, and public transport vehicles of Shanghai will be 2.27, 2.22 and 2.35 times the current levels, respectively; the energy supply and power generation of Guangzhou are expected to reach three times the current levels; the energy supply, power generation, and the number of beds in health institutions of Shenzhen will be three times the current levels. This study provides a scientific basis for coordinating the sustainable development of population and urban resources in large cities.

Key words: megacity, optimum population, population growth, possibility-satisfiability, resource allocation