Urban expansion in highly populous East Asian megacities during 1990–2020: Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and Shanghai

The world is experiencing unprecedented urbanization, particularly through the continuous growth of megacities, leading to significant urban land expansion. The spatial layout and growth patterns of urban areas play a critical role in determining cities' sustainable development. However, the optimal path for cities undergoing rapid urbanization remains uncertain. This study examines four megacities—Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and Shanghai—and, from the perspective of urban land density, compares their patterns and processes of land expansion in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Findings reveal that the urban land area of China's megacities has expanded nearly fourfold over the past three decades. Meanwhile, Tokyo and Seoul have adopted a polycentric urban structure, becoming increasingly compact. In contrast, Beijing and Shanghai are only beginning to show signs of polycentric development. The study concludes that cities experiencing rapid growth should not impose excessive limitations on urban expansion. Polycentric and compact development has become a critical strategy for megacities. These insights offer valuable guidance for urban planning and sustainable development in both established and emerging megacities across East Asia. • We compared the spatial and temporal variation of urban land density in East Asian megacities over the past 30 years. • We divided urban area using contour lines of urbanness with different thresholds. • A multi-center development pattern may help alleviate urban development pressure.