A review of urban vitality research in the Chinese world

Abstract

This paper is a systematic review of the contemporary research progresses of urban vitality in China. Through examining the most related and advanced Chinese academic literatures, this paper introduces the core definitions and concepts and summarizes the methodology and findings of current Chinese urban vitality research. The data sources and quantitative research methods and paradigms such as vitality index frameworks are listed and discussed in detail regarding their strengths and limitations. From studies in multiple Chinese cities, we synthesize the effects and the influence mechanisms of multi-faceted factors on different types of urban vitality. Finally, we not only summarize and extrapolate the policy implications of these literatures for improving urban vitality but also propose recommendations for future research.