ABSRTACT: with the urbanization of our country entering the second half, the economic growth rate slowing down and the population negative growth era gradually coming, the phenomenon of urban contraction has become an important issue worth paying close attention to in the course of our country's modernization. Based on the review of the relevant research progress since 2010, the author believes that the understanding of urban development paradigm in China should be deepened under the background of population contraction, and from the basic research, Space Research, planning research and other aspects of space governance perspective of China's urban contraction needs to be concerned about the important issues, it is expected to provide reference for the theoretical research and practical exploration of urban shrinkage in China in the new era.