In rapid socio-economic developme nt,the process of concentration and dispersal of various elements tends to be more dramatic,tremendously in fluencing the shaping and transform ation of the space in metropolitan area.Survey of spatial concentration and decent ralization has thus become a basic me thod in examining metropolitan spatial evolution.In this research,three elements were selected as the essential indicato rs of the process:demographic density distribu-tion,employment density distribut ion and business office location.Performance of these elements in Nanji ng City was exam-ined historically.As Nanjing City c ould be regarded as a representative of metropolitan areas in China,its s ituation large-ly suggestes the general characteristics in similar areas of China.Hence based on the investigation of Nanji ng City,four general implications were highligh ted.First,metropolitan areas inChina are in a violentprocess and shift of spatialconcentra-tion and decentralization.Second,from now to at least the near future,c oncentration will continue to be the central fea-ture.Third,the landscape of metrop olitan areas basically exhibits a dual structure character.The gap in en vironmental and ecological qualities among different districts will continue for a l ong time.Fourth,Central Business District(CBD)is playing an important role in helpi ng to convert the traditionally single-centered city structure into a polycentric one. In rapid socio-economic developme nt, the process of concentration and dispersal of various elements tends to be more dramatic, tremendously in fluencing the shaping and transform ation of the space in metropolitan area. Survey of spatial concentration and decentralization has thus become a basic me thod in examining metropolitan spatial evolution. In this research, three elements were selected as the essential indicato rs of the process: demographic density distribu tion, employment density distribut ion and business office location. Performance of these elements in Nanji ng City was exam -ined historically. As Nanjing City could be considered as a representative of metropolitan areas in China, its s ituation large-ly suggestes the general characteristics in similar areas of China. Health-based investigation of Nanji ng City, four general implications were highligh ted.First, metropolitan areas inChina are in a violentprocess and shift of spatialconcentration and decentralization .Second, fro m now to at least the near future, c oncentration will continue to be the central fea-ture.Third, the landscape of metrop olitan areas basically exhibits a dual structure character. gap in en vironmental and ecological qualities among different districts will continue for al ong time. Fourth, Central Business District (CBD) is playing an important role in helpi ng to convert the traditionally single-centered city structure into a polycentric one.