With the progress of urbanization, environmental challenges stemming from rapid urban sprawl have become pervasive. Consequently, research on urban sprawl has emerged as a crucial focal point in sustainable development efforts, emphasizing the need to understand the evolution characteristics and systemic mechanism of urban sprawl. However, existing research on the urban sprawl mechanism remains somewhat fragmented, lacking a unified research framework and theoretical model. In response, this paper proposes a theoretical framework for urban sprawl mechanics and constructs a unified analysis framework and an integrated urban sprawl force model. Furthermore, empirical analysis is conducted using Nanjing, Wuxi, and Yangzhou as case studies, measuring the integrated urban sprawl force and analyzing their urban sprawl characteristics through comparative assessments of the integrated urban sprawl force trends. The findings reveal distinct trends in the integrated urban sprawl force across Nanjing, Wuxi, and Yangzhou. Nanjing demonstrates a pattern of slow growth, Wuxi exhibits initial growth followed by a decline, and Yangzhou experiences rapid fluctuations in growth. As typical cities in different urban development stages, Nanjing, Wuxi, and Yangzhou exhibit change trends of the integrated urban sprawl force consistent with their urban development stages. The research framework and model of urban sprawl mechanics proposed in this paper offer a novel perspective and methodology for comprehending the current and future levels of urban sprawl. Moreover, this study furnishes valuable insights for relevant authorities in formulating policies to regulate urban sprawl.

中文翻译：

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基于力学的城市蔓延力理论框架——以南京、无锡和扬州为例


随着城市化进程的推进，城市快速扩张带来的环境挑战变得普遍。因此，对城市蔓延的研究已成为可持续发展工作的关键焦点，强调需要了解城市蔓延的演变特征和系统机制。然而，现有的城市蔓延机制研究仍然有些碎片化，缺乏统一的研究框架和理论模型。为此，本文提出了城市蔓延力学的理论框架，构建了统一的分析框架和综合的城市蔓延力模型。此外，以南京、无锡和扬州为案例研究进行实证分析，测度城市综合蔓延力量，并通过对城市综合蔓延力量趋势的比较评估来分析其城市蔓延特征。研究结果揭示了南京、无锡和扬州城市综合蔓延力量的不同趋势。南京呈现缓慢增长的模式，无锡呈现出初始增长后下降的模式，扬州则出现快速增长。南京、无锡和扬州作为处于不同城市发展阶段的典型城市，表现出与其城市发展阶段一致的城市综合蔓延力量的变化趋势。本文提出的城市蔓延力学研究框架和模型为理解当前和未来城市蔓延水平提供了一种新颖的视角和方法。此外，本研究为相关当局制定监管城市扩张的政策提供了宝贵的见解。