The article looks at how cities in arid areas in China grow, focusing on a place called Shandan County. They studied how the number of people living in cities and how much land is being used are changing. Over the years 2000 to 2014, both population growth and land use in the county increased, but not always at the same rate. They found that as cities in Shandan County grow, the balance between people moving in and land being used changed in four stages, from not well organized to well coordinated. The researchers suggest ways to improve city planning by suggesting better ways to move people, use land more efficiently, and build cities with new ideas like eco-friendly industries and cultural tourism. The study could help other arid cities in China plan their growth better.