Change of Labor Force Spatial Structure in Shanghai from 1996 to 2001
上海从业劳动力空间分布变动分析

Using location specialization index and neg-exponential function, this paper analyzes the labor force spatial distribution characteristics and its change in Shanghai during 1996-2001 based on the work place data of Establishment Census of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai Municipality in 1996 and 2001. From three different dimensions: circles, districts and counties, the paper analyzes the change and characteristics of labor force spatial structure of Shanghai. It is found out that from 1996 to 2001, the labor force density of Shanghai decreases from urban centre with distance, with the highest level in urban core, which fits neg-exponential function curve. The density of inner city shows a downtrend, its edge area uptrend; and the labor force disperses from the urban centre to suburbs, the density difference between centre and suburbs reduces, which shows a homogenizing trend. The labor force spatial distribution trends differ between the secondary industry and tertiary industry. The labor force in the secondary industry disperses from central city to suburbs and exhibits one-way equilibrating change in a larger area. The labor force in the tertiary industry disperses from urban core to its edge area within a distance of 15 km; oppositely it has a centralizing trend to inner city out of a distance of 15 km, especially in exurban area. The function of Shanghai metropolis changes to such a pattern that commerce is becoming a main industry in central districts and manufacture in suburban districts. And spatial model is evolving from monocentric city to polycentric city. Basically the spatial distribution of labor force in Shanghai and its trends accord with the general spatial developing rules of a metropolis, which will benefit Shanghai's sustainable development and spatial reconstruction.