抄録
Contemporary urban geography is currently situated in a critical period of theoretical innovation and methodological transformation, witnessing a research paradigm shift from static spatial analysis to dynamic, multi-dimensional, and technology-driven comprehensive analysis. This paper systematically reviews four core frontier directions: smart cities and digital twins, climate change and urban resilience, shrinking cities and spatial restructuring, and the networked development of metropolitan circles and urban agglomerations. The study indicates that the integration of digital twins and artificial intelligence has propelled urban systems from “descriptive” science to “predictive” and “normative” science; the construction of urban resilience in the context of climate change necessitates the interdisciplinary integration of natural and social sciences; the emergence of shrinking cities reveals the non-linear and multi-path characteristics of urban development, prompting scholars to shift from a logic of growth to perspectives of governance and equity; and the networked development of urban agglomerations reflects the profound influence of globalization and informatization in reshaping spatial structures. Through a systematic analysis of these issues, this paper aims to clarify the theoretical innovations and practical shifts of urban geography in the new era, exploring its academic mission and future directions in addressing global sustainable development and regional coordinated governance.
