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Planning policies are important drivers of spatial evolution in Chinese metropolitan areas; however, research on the impact of planning policy implementation on the spatial evolution of metropolitan areas is lacking. This study identifies the spatial evolution process of the Guangzhou metropolitan area, evaluates the results of planning policy implementation, and analyzes the possible spatial interactions between them. The results show that the spatial evolution of the Guangzhou metropolitan area is consistent with the point-axis development theory, and has formed a polycentric network-type spatial structure evolution. Moreover, there is an obvious spatial correlation between the implementation planning policies and the spatial evolution of a metropolitan area; that is, the planning policies have driven the spatial structure of the metropolitan area to develop gradually in different periods. This research enriches the theoretical study of the spatial evolution of metropolitan areas, and provides a point of reference for the development and planning of other metropolitan areas. • We propose a new approach to evaluate the implementation results of planning policy • Planning policy plays an important role in promoting the early formation and development of Guangzhou metropolitan area • Our study enriches the theory of spatial evolution of Chinese metropolitan areas based on the study of Guangzhou metropolitan area [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hive Box is a company that operates a network of express unattended collection and delivery points (UCDPs) in China. Hive Box distribution enhances community-based end-to-end delivery services and low-carbon city logistics. It is argued that UCDPs compared with attended collection and delivery points (ACDPs) should be considered for further investigation. Therefore, the present study employed kernel density estimation, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and geographically weighted regression to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of Hive Box distribution across Guangzhou. Hive Box location data were collected from smartphone apps. The results were as follows: (1) the kernel density declined from the city center toward the outskirts, and showed point-like spatial agglomerations in the city center; (2) the Moran's I index analysis showed that Hive Box distribution exhibited spatial agglomeration from a global perspective and geographic variations in locality in space; the heterogeneity of urban–rural differences implies the uneven development of Hive Box distribution in Guangzhou; and (3) the factors influencing Hive Box distribution were multilevel, and their effects were complex and varied across regions. These results shed light on the agglomeration and heterogeneity characteristics of the spatial distribution and influencing factors of Hive Boxes. For an enhanced community-based end-to-end delivery service, this study suggested the identification of the geographic variations of Hive Box distribution and the combined effects of multiple factors in intensifying the infrastructure of unattended locker points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]