The role of planning policy in the evolution of the spatial structure of the Guangzhou metropolitan area in China

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.