By taking Zhangjiagang City as the research object, with the guidance of 3S (GIS, GPS and RS) and the theory of landscape ecology, based on the remote sensing images from 1991 to 2006, land use maps and social-economic statistical data, by combining with gradient analytical method, eight landscape pattern metrics had been selected to analyze the urbanization of Zhangjiagang City and urban landscape pattern change characteristics at different stages of urbanization. The results showed that the urbanization of Zhangjiagang City could be divided into two stages which were the urbanization of Zhangjiagang City from 1991 to 2001 and the suburbanization of Zhangjiagang City from 2001 to 2006 based on landscape metrics' change characteristics. During urbanization, the response was obvious in the urban center of Zhangjiagang City, and urban landscape pattern changed greatly. During suburbanization, the response was obvious in the rural area of Zhangjiagang City and rural landscape pattern changed greatly. The urbanization of Zhangjiagang City conformed to the urbanization mode based on population theory and extension theory. Urbanization firstly affected the urban center, and then extended to its surrounding areas, and further influenced widespread rural areas. During suburbanization, agricultural land had decreased and been seriously destroyed; thus, it should strengthen the protection of agricultural land.
With Kevin Lynch's mode of analysis in The Image of the City,through field research and inductive analysis on the Pingle Old Town,the image of Chengdu Pingyuan Town represented by Pingle Town is summarized.Analysis and conclusion of the characteristics and identifiabilities of the traditional market town are made in five aspects,mainly including the path of the town,edge,district,central node and landmark,which provides a theoretical reference and example for preserving and shaping the traditional market town of region characteristic in Chengdu Plain.
