矿坑塌陷、企业倒闭、林场停产、人口外流…… 之前，我们讲了东北的30座资源枯竭城市。这批城市里除了极个别幸运儿，似乎都逃不出矿竭城衰的宿命。 但中国资源枯竭的城市，又何止东北一处。华北和西北这两北地区，共同组成了辽阔的北方模式。相比东北老铁高度一致的"铁锈带叙事"，他们的命运可 谓冰火交加。 本期我们将聚焦北方21座资源枯竭城市，看看他们如何与时代赛跑，又如何在泥沼中求生。 一、煤海沉浮，命途多舛 这21座城市里，有16个煤炭枯竭，3个有色金属枯竭，2个石油枯竭，煤炭占了绝对比例。而且跟东北老铁一样，煤炭组的命运也是相当惨。 如果不算黑吉辽和蒙东，华北和西北这四个区占比高达四分之三。其中晋陕蒙宁一个区就占了54.6%，是华南贫煤区的104倍。而16座北方煤炭枯竭城 市，就分布在这片黑色的富矿带上。 他们大致可以分成两条"煤带"，一个在黄河几字弯，一个在黄淮海。这些煤城的品位、储量和开采难度迥然不同，命运也是天差地别。 黄河几字弯是一条超级煤带，宁东、神东、晋北、晋中、陕北、黄陇六大亿吨级基地依次排开，全国一半的煤都是从这儿挖出来的。 煤挖得又多又狠，枯竭城市当然也少不了，比如塞上双子煤城—石嘴山和乌海。 但和 ...

Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of "shrinking cities" in China has gained attention as urbanization enters a new phase, characterized by population decline and economic restructuring, necessitating targeted development strategies and policy recommendations for sustainable urban development [1][48]. Group 1: Definition and Identification of Shrinking Cities - Shrinking cities are defined as urban areas experiencing sustained population loss and structural economic crises, requiring a multi-dimensional understanding [3][6]. - Identification standards for shrinking cities include a continuous decline in urban population over three years, economic growth below the national average, and mismatched urban expansion and population growth [7][10]. Group 2: Characteristics and Distribution of Shrinking Cities - There are 139 identified shrinking cities in China, with significant concentrations in the Northeast, particularly in Heilongjiang, where 12 out of 13 cities are classified as shrinking [10][11]. - Shrinking cities exhibit a paradox of spatial expansion despite population decline, with 93.03% of these cities still expanding their built-up areas [35][36]. Group 3: Causes of Shrinking Cities - Macro factors contributing to shrinking cities include population aging, low birth rates, and regional development imbalances, leading to resource and talent concentration in coastal areas [17][19]. - Micro factors include population outflow, a decline in job opportunities, and a stagnant real estate market, exacerbating the shrinking phenomenon [27][29]. Group 4: Transformation Paths for Shrinking Cities - Strategies for transformation include "smart shrinkage," focusing on quality and efficiency rather than mere expansion, optimizing urban space, and developing new industries [38][39]. - Specific development paths for resource-dependent cities involve leveraging local resources for new industries, while cultural tourism and ecological cities are emerging as viable options for others [40][41]. Group 5: Policy Responses - National policies emphasize the need for "smart shrinkage" strategies, optimizing administrative divisions, and avoiding blind expansion to enhance urban quality and competitiveness [43][44]. - Future policy recommendations include establishing monitoring mechanisms for shrinking cities, implementing differentiated support policies, and promoting regional collaboration for resource sharing [46][47].