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The Evolution of Industrial Agglomerations and Specialization in the Yangtze River Delta from 1990–2018: An Analysis Based on Firm-Level Big Data

Author

Listed:
  • Shuju Hu

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Wei Song

    (Department of Geography and Geosciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA)

  • Chenggu Li

    (School of Geographical Sciences, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China)

  • Charlie H. Zhang

    (Department of Geography and Geosciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA)

Abstract

Although industrial agglomeration and specialization have been studied for more than 100 years, it is still a controversial field. In the era of big data, it is of great significance to study industrial agglomeration and regional specialization by using firm-level data. Based on 3,053,024 pieces of firm-level big data, the spatial evolution and spatial patterns of industrial agglomeration and specialization of 9 major industries in the Yangtze River Delta, China were revealed. Results show that: (1) the degree of industrial agglomeration is highly related to industrial attributes; industries which are directly related to production tend to be geographically concentrated, while industries that serve for production tend to be spatially dispersed; (2) the evolution characteristics and trajectories of industrial agglomeration vary by industries: wholesale and retail trade and real estate are becoming more spatially dispersed; information industries, leasing and commercial services, scientific research and polytechnic services, as well as finance are experiencing continuous spatial agglomeration; construction and manufacturing show a tendency of transfer from spatial agglomeration to spatial dispersion; (3) since 1990, most industries in the Yangtze River Delta have formed distinct spatial patterns of industrial specialization. Most core cities have experienced obvious deindustrialization processes; and high-end industries are clustering to the three biggest core cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hangzhou.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuju Hu & Wei Song & Chenggu Li & Charlie H. Zhang, 2019. "The Evolution of Industrial Agglomerations and Specialization in the Yangtze River Delta from 1990–2018: An Analysis Based on Firm-Level Big Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:20:p:5811-:d:278346
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    2. Wei Zhao & Xuan Liu & Qingxin Deng & Dongyang Li & Jianing Xu & Mengdi Li & Yaoping Cui, 2020. "Spatial Association of Urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, October.
    3. Yihan Chi & Yongheng Fang & Jiamin Liu, 2022. "Spatial–Temporal Evolution Characteristics and Economic Effects of China’s Cultural and Tourism Industries’ Collaborative Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.
    4. Jiawei Wu & Wei Sun, 2023. "Regional Integration and Sustainable Development in the Yangtze River Delta, China: Towards a Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, February.
    5. Zhang, Lin & He, Xiaoxia & Jia, Zhenli, 2023. "Industrial agglomeration, public services and city size: Evidence from 286 cities in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).

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