Density variation and climate differentiation in China: comparative study on compaction models for five Chinese cities: Harbin, Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongquing and Shenzhen

Strategies to increase the urban density are now pursued by many cities in the world through intensification strategies. In China, the density of the metropolises is usually much higher than that of western cities. The analytical studies of Chinese cities offer a better understanding of the relationship between climate, density and urban form. They can be examined as precedents for better future solutions. Thus the models of existing urban form in high density cities in China are worth a closer investigation. In this paper, the authors have analyzed the density of Chinese cities statistically with climatic indicators. A close qualitative case study is followed on districts of five representative cities located in four distinct and different climatic zones. The influencing indicators of climate modality in the holistic sustainability evaluation framework are found; the recommendations for better urban practices are proposed at the end of the research. This paper forms part of data analysis in the author's higher research degree thesis.