Understanding the spatial morphology of China’s national development zones from elements and structural perspectives

The establishment of National Economic and Technological Development Zones (ETDZs) is a key strategy in China’s reform and opening-up. Understanding their spatial characteristics is critical for optimizing land structure and promoting sustainable urban-industrial development. However, existing research lacks systematic morphological frameworks and quantitative approaches. This study draws on urban morphology theory to construct a four-dimensional framework—spatial location, road network, spatial boundary and land use, and built environment—and applies it to 14 national ETDZs. Using spatial syntax, compactness and fractal metrics, and land use transition matrices, we examine spatial patterns and inter-zone variation. Findings reveal: (1) Most ETDZs are located in China’s eastern and southern coastal or riparian areas, often adhering to traditional site-selection logic (e.g., “mountains behind, water in front”), and can be classified as either urban-edge or suburban types. (2) Road networks exhibit diverse accessibility; Nantong ETDZ shows the highest connectivity (5.476) and global integration (1.841), with most zones following grid or semi-grid structures. (3) Spatial boundaries exhibit considerable variation, with compactness ranging from 0.290 to 0.723 and fractal dimension ranging from 0.216 to 1.578. Between 1985 and 2020, land-use types experienced considerable fluctuations during this period, and a sustained shift from cultivated land to impervious surfaces occurred, with conversion rates exceeding 85% in certain zones, and land-use types experienced considerable fluctuations during this period. (4) Built environments differ widely: building density ranges from 3.03 to 24.81%, and average height from 11 to 29 m. High-rise clusters follow contiguous or dispersed patterns depending on site configuration. This study offers a systematic framework and quantitative method for analyzing development zone spatial morphology, informing spatially differentiated planning strategies aligned with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 11(SDG 11).