Evolution of the Shanghai city region 1978–1998: an analysis of indicators

Building on a description of the present situation in Shanghai, a series of ten regionally relevant indicators are identified and described. Using data from 1978–1998, relationships between these economic, social and environmental indicators are explored using correlation and regression analysis. The analysis indicated that, in Shanghai, conflict between economy and environment existed throughout the research period and the evolution of the city region system seems to lack regularity. The key elements affecting trends in the development of the Shanghai city region are Gross Domestic Product, Total Investment and Urban Living Area per Head. The city region system seemed more sustainable, indicated by an improvement in environmental quality and relative lower investment growth rate, when the annual change rate of Gross Domestic Product was less than 7–8%.