Measurement and Analysis of the Comprehensive Development Levels of Large Cities in China: Based on the New Development Concept

The measurement of a city’s comprehensive development is very important. In view of the new development concept and relevant measurement principles, the authors establish an indicator system that covers six dimensions — innovation, economic development, social harmony, eco-friendliness, openness and connectivity, and infrastructure — to measure the comprehensive development of 69 sample cities, which have more than one million permanent residents in the city proper according to the latest national standards for the classification of cities. The results show that large cities nationwide are seriously polarized in comprehensive development. The sample cities are roughly divided into four echelons. Those in the top echelon are more developed than average cities in the country and there is strong competition among cities in this echelon. In regional terms, cities in the east obviously fare better than those in the west. Separate examinations of the six dimensions show that innovation is the key engine for growth and a main indicator of transformation and upgrading, but it also contributes to the polarization of cities and is where the cities in the second, third and fourth echelons fall short of. In the new era, efforts need to be made to promote transformation and development, not only in cities of the first echelon, but also in those of other echelons, so as to realize balanced and full development. The cities, on the other hand, need to build their strengths, fix their weaknesses, and focus on their key areas, thus enhancing their comprehensive development levels as required by the new development concept.