Mechanism of Sustainable Development of Urban Form Guided by Greenway System: A Case Study of Charlotte Metropolitan Region, USA

As a multi-scale and multi-purpose green infrastructure network, the greenway system has become an important approach to guide compact development of urban form and a major space carrier to promote healthy development of cities. At present, the planning and management of urban greenway system is still in the exploration stage in China, and needs to learn from the successful paths of international urban greenway system planning and construction. Following a brief review of greenway development, this research focuses on the influential greenway system construction project in Charlotte Metropolitan Region in the southeast of U.S. for an in-depth case study. It systematically analyzes the planning strategy and implementation approach of the greenway system that has facilitated sustainable development of urban form, and summarizes the multiple benefits in optimizing the spatial structure, promoting healthy urban lifestyle, and improving ecological environment. It aims to provide integrated and pioneering strategies for the sustainable planning and construction process of greenway system in China. The development path provided for the greenway system will be helpful to guide the smart growth and healthy development of urban morphology.