| Being one important member of the retail industry, large-scale retail stores hold an important position. Their development has great impact upon residents' living and city spatial structure.The main objective of this research is to develop a GIS based method to analyse the spatial-temporal changes of the distribution of large-scale retail stores in the past and assess their current distribution in Wuhan in order to provide urban planners and decision-makers a GIS mode for the future analysis of spatial development of large-scale retail stores.By comparing the distribution characteristics of large-scale retail stores in the reference years of 1978, 1986, 1993 and 2000, the distribution changes in the past were apparent. The reasons of changes were analysed from five perspectives: population, transport, economy, policy and history.Integration of GIS and MCE method has been used to assess existing distribution situation of large-scale retail stores in Wuhan. The research was undertaken in two parts. One is to analysis the located patterns of existing large-scale retail stores. The other is to assess the current distribution of large-scale retail stores by comparing it with the suitability analysis on areas for large-scale retail stores. Three criteria and five indicators are selected to evaluate suitable sites for large-scale retail stores. By comparing the existing distribution of large-scale retail stores with results of suitability analysis, it was found that the current situation is rather reasonable. Based on the research on the past and current state, the distribution of large-scale retail stores should be developed from the inner city to the fringe area has been suggested for future development.
|
PDF Full Text Request