抄録
Driven by the dual forces of the “spatial turn” and the digital revolution, urban geography is undergoing profound epistemological reconfiguration and methodological transformation. This study systematically examines the theoretical trajectory of the discipline from classical urban morphology and the spatial analysis school toward New Marxist, post-structuralist, and complexity-oriented perspectives, and reveals the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the paradigm shift in urban studies from static “spatial geometry” to dynamic “relational networks” and “spaces of flows.” It critically synthesizes recent advances in key research themes, including urban socio-spatial differentiation, factor mobility, functional resilience, and urban metabolism, with particular emphasis on how multi-source spatiotemporal big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and geo-simulation systems are reshaping both qualitative and quantitative research traditions and fostering a deep integration of computational and humanistic approaches. Building on a triadic framework of theory–method–practice interactions, the paper further explores how localized empirical studies conducted under diverse institutional contexts—especially in rapidly urbanizing regions such as China—challenge and recalibrate dominant Western urban theories. Finally, it outlines future research agendas for urban geography in the domains of data-driven and intelligent urban governance, coupled social–ecological systems, and spatial justice, aiming to provide forward-looking guidance for the development of an urban science knowledge system that combines a global perspective with local adaptability.
