The Trend of Establishment of University Campus in the Suburban Area and Relationship With the Surrounding Environment

Since the reform and opening-up in 1978, China’s rapid urbanization and higher education expansion have accelerated the suburban establishment of university campuses. This study explores how national policies, social transitions, and spatial dynamics have shaped campus development. Focusing on Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, it analyzes spatial distribution and policy characteristics through comparative and spatial analyses. Further, case studies of seven university towns reveal how urban sprawl transformed rural–urban environments and land use. The study concludes by how the reorganization of university campuses reflects urban and regional restructuring in China.