Comparative Study of Urban Planning Systems Across Different City Scales: Case Studies of Beijing and Dali

Abstract

This research focuses on urban planning systems across different city scales, selecting Beijing (a megacity) and Dali (a medium-small city) as representative case studies. Through collecting economic and demographic data from official sources including the Beijing Municipal Government website, conducting in-depth analysis of relevant government documents, and integrating urban planning theories with practical experience, this study performs a multidimensional comparative analysis. Significant differences are identified in urban contexts including economic development, natural ecology, historical culture, and population characteristics. In comparing urban planning models, the study examines city scale and functional positioning, specific planning approaches, and planning adaptability. The analysis reveals that Beijing employs the "One Core, One Main City, One Sub-Center; Two Axes, Multiple Nodes, One Zone" spatial structure to optimize urban functions and decentralize non-capital functions, while Dali adopts the "Three Belts, Six Clusters" framework to develop as an eco-tourism city that balances ecological conservation with distinctive development. By incorporating technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence, both cities could further enhance the intelligence level of their planning systems, providing valuable references for differentiated urban development strategies.