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[Objective] Expansion of construction land is a direct manifestation of urbanization in geographical space. Analyzing the characteristics of the spatial and temporal changes of construction land in shrinking cities is an important reference for optimizing the allocation of land resources in shrinking cities. [Methods] This study constructed a multi-indicator model with “one subject, two subsets, and three dimensions” to identify shrinking cities in Northeast China in 2000-2020. On this basis, it used the common edge measure method and PLUS model to explore the characteristics, patterns, and driving mechanisms of construction land expansion in shrinking cities in Northeast China during the study period. [Results] (1) The Northeast area experienced a significant increase in the number and extent of shrinking cities between 2010 and 2020. From 2000 to 2010, only four demographically and one demographically-economically shrinking cities were identified. From 2010-2020, the region identified three demographically-economically, one demographic-vitality, and 17 full-dimensional shrinking cities. Spatially, it was characterized by a greater presence in the eastern and northern regions than in the western and southern regions. (2) More than 70.59% of the shrinking cities’ construction land showed a continuous growth trend from 2010 to 2020. Among these cities, those with the fastest expansion rate were mostly centered in the Harbin-Dalian economic belt. (3) The proportion of infill expansion of new construction land in shrinking cities has gradually increased, and the pattern of expansion has tended to agglomerate from diffusion. (4) The evolution of construction land in shrinking cities is a comprehensive result of the interaction of the natural environment, population-economic and infrastructure factors, and the core driving factors of shrinking cities across various study periods and types have both commonality and uniqueness. [Conclusion] Of the shrinking cities in Northeast China, 70% showed the paradoxical development pattern of continued expansion of construction land. We recommend that shrinking cities should form a reasonable order of construction land expansion, fully explore the potential for utilizing the cities’ stock of construction land, and ultimately achieve “smart growth” in shrinking cities.

Analyzing the spatial agglomeration and characteristics of urban functional elements and effectively identifying the polycentric pattern of a city can provide a scientific basis for urban planning. This study, on the basis of point‐of‐interest (POI) data, designs a weighted overlay‐analysis method that is based on functional categories, spatial agglomeration, and POI weights to identify the spatial‐agglomeration pattern and polycentric urban structure of Shenyang, China. Our results show that Shenyang has a significant polycentric urban structure. The POI elements in the municipal center in the second ring road show concentration and a contiguous distribution pattern. The POI element distribution near the city is scattered, and the spatial distribution of hotspots is uneven. The urban centers in the city planned by the government and those that we have identified differ. Because of the remote location and insufficient support facilities, the municipal subcenters and district centers do not play the role of decentralization as intended. Further strengthening the overall industrial planning and transportation apparatus is necessary in order to enhance the outward radiation and inward attraction of municipal subcenters. Our weighted overlay method realizes effective identification of the polycentric urban structure and can provide relevant reference for urban research and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northeast China has seen a remarkable transition from rustbelt to economic revival over the past decade. However, promoting sustainable economic growth is a major issue facing Northeast China after entering the middle‐income stage of development. Based on a panel data set of 34 prefecture‐level cities in Northeast China from 2001 to 2018, this paper constructs a human capital index in terms of both quantity (educational capital) and quality (health capital) and uses the generalized method of moments (GMMs) to explore the spatial–temporal effects of human capital on economic growth under the "middle‐income trap." The results show that a key factor keeping Northeast China in the middle‐income stage is the loss of highly qualified labor and that the previous attribution of the economic downturn to the population exodus is inaccurate. Although the results of this study indicate that the demographic dividend during the demographic transition period has ended in Northeast China and that the associated low‐cost advantage has been lost, the "talent dividend" can still be obtained by improving the level of human capital and thus promoting sustainable economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]