Identification of urban functions enhancement and weakening based on urban land use conversion: A case study of Changchun, China

A deep understanding of urban functions is the basis for the optimization of urban spatial structure and for the sustainable development of urban space. Previous research mainly focused on the identification and classification of urban functions using a variety of data and methods; however, little attention has been paid to the quantitative measurement of changes in urban functions, and to their temporal and spatial evolution. With the help of urban land use maps, we used the overlay analysis and the transition matrix to quantitatively measure the enhancement and weakening of urban functions and their spatial differences, by analyzing the relationship between urban land development and redevelopment. Accordingly, the change state of urban function enhancement and weakening could be divided into six categories. Moreover, the results of research on residential, commercial, public service, and industrial functions show that changes in different urban functions have different temporal and spatial characteristics. Our findings on the enhancement and weakening of urban functions in the central city of Changchun provide theoretical support for the sustainable development of urban space in the future.