Using the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou (referred to as Su-Xi-Chang) region as a case study, this work applied an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis model to study the characteristics associated with the evolution in the urban spatial patterns in the region from 2002 to 2018. A geographical weighted regression model and Local indicator of spatial association Index are used to analyze the degrees of influence that different driving factors have on urban spatial patterns in the Su-Xi-Chang region. Two major points emerged from the results. First, the urban development of the Su-Xi-Chang metropolitan area has a relatively concentrated spatial distribution. When considering the local spatial correlation, there is a relatively large proportion of areas with H–H correlation and L–H correlation. The H–H correlation area is mainly concentrated in the central urban area of Suzhou and Wuxi, and Kunshan, which connects Suzhou and Shanghai. This forms a spatial concentration area with high urban development levels. The L–H correlation area is mainly concentrated in cities such as Yixing and Changshu. After the central city developed to a certain stage in 2010, the spatial agglomeration of small and medium-sized cities that lagged in size became more clear. The L–L agglomeration area is mainly concentrated in Liyang and Jintan, with a widening development gap from surrounding cities and counties. This has led to a development trend of marginalization. Second, the urbanization rate index had a weak driving effect on the evolution and development of urban spatial pattern.

本文以苏锡常（简称苏锡常）地区为例，应用探索性空间数据分析模型，研究了2002年以来该地区城市空间格局演变的相关特征到2018年。利用地理加权回归模型和空间关联指数的局部指标分析不同驱动因素对苏西昌地区城市空间格局的影响程度。从结果中可以看出两个主要观点。一是苏锡昌都市圈城市发展空间分布较为集中。在考虑局部空间相关性时，具有 H-H 相关性和 L-H 相关性的区域比例较大。H-H关联区主要集中在苏州和无锡的中心城区，以及连接苏州和上海的昆山。这形成了一个城市发展水平较高的空间集中区。L-H相关区主要集中在宜兴、常熟等城市。2010年中心城市发展到一定阶段后，规模滞后的中小城市空间集聚更加明显。L-L集聚区主要集中在溧阳和金坛，与周边市县发展差距拉大。这导致了边缘化的发展趋势。二是城镇化率指数对城市空间格局演变发展的驱动作用较弱。这形成了一个城市发展水平较高的空间集中区。L-H相关区主要集中在宜兴、常熟等城市。2010年中心城市发展到一定阶段后，规模滞后的中小城市空间集聚更加明显。L-L集聚区主要集中在溧阳和金坛，与周边市县发展差距拉大。这导致了边缘化的发展趋势。二是城镇化率指数对城市空间格局演变发展的驱动作用较弱。这形成了一个城市发展水平较高的空间集中区。L-H相关区主要集中在宜兴、常熟等城市。2010年中心城市发展到一定阶段后，规模滞后的中小城市空间集聚更加明显。L-L集聚区主要集中在溧阳和金坛，与周边市县发展差距拉大。这导致了边缘化的发展趋势。二是城镇化率指数对城市空间格局演变发展的驱动作用较弱。2010年中心城市发展到一定阶段后，规模滞后的中小城市空间集聚更加明显。L-L集聚区主要集中在溧阳和金坛，与周边市县发展差距拉大。这导致了边缘化的发展趋势。二是城镇化率指数对城市空间格局演变发展的驱动作用较弱。2010年中心城市发展到一定阶段后，规模滞后的中小城市空间集聚更加明显。L-L集聚区主要集中在溧阳和金坛，与周边市县发展差距拉大。这导致了边缘化的发展趋势。二是城镇化率指数对城市空间格局演变发展的驱动作用较弱。