Abstract
This study constructs a theoretical model and empirical framework concerning how spatial structure affects economic efficiency using data on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) megaregion between 2008 and 2017. The study finds the following: ① the development of the internal spatial structure of the BTH urban agglomeration is unequal. The populations of most cities in the urban agglomeration are still in a dispersed state. Although urban populations have tended to agglomerate around multiple subcenter units in the cities, the trend towards population agglomeration around city centers is not found to be significant. ② The total factor productivity (TFP) of the BTH urban agglomeration was not high in most years between 2008 and 2017, showing a fluctuating downward trend overall. The TFP of the urban agglomeration showed differential regional patterns. The decline of TFP growth in the BTH urban agglomeration is mainly due to declining technological progress, technological efficiency, and scale efficiency. Resource input remains the major driving force behind the development of the BTH megaregion. ③ Concerning how the spatial structure of the urban agglomeration affected economic efficiency, the study finds that primacy, urban Gini index, urban population size, human capital, informatization level, industrial structure, and science and technology levels have positive effects on economic efficiency, whereas dispersion, governmental role, economic openness, and land input have negative effects. This study has several policy implications. Achieving coordinated and integrated development of the BTH urban agglomeration will require constructing a scientific and regional spatial system, improving the development levels of regional central cities, divesting Beijing of noncapital functions, and reshaping the industrial layout of the BTH megaregion in an orderly manner, while continuously improving the internal hierarchical structure of urban agglomeration and strengthening intercity economic connections.
Highlights
Urban agglomeration has been the fastest growing regional type in the world since the mid-20th century, and the population and economic activities of most countries are clustered around cities
Tianjin has shown a rising trend in its primacy over the past 10 years, which implies that it should be vigilant in preventing conflicts between the people, economy, and environment caused by the excessive population and industrial agglomeration. e primacy value of Beijing remained at around 1, indicating that it already has the polycentric, networked spatial structure of a megacity
Results and Analysis of total factor productivity (TFP) in the BTH Metropolitan. e TFP of the BTH urban agglomeration was measured using DEAP 2.1. e results indicate that the TFP of the BTH urban agglomeration was relatively low from 2008 to 2017 and showed a decreasing trend (Figure 2). e average TFP values of Beijing, Tianjin, and Langfang were significantly higher than the average TFP level of the overall urban agglomeration. e TFP growth rate of the urban agglomeration was negative for all years, except for 2016 and 2017. e TFP of the BTH urban agglomeration showed the fastest decline in 2008 (−36.71%), 2009 (−17.69%), and 2010
Summary
Urban agglomeration has been the fastest growing regional type in the world since the mid-20th century, and the population and economic activities of most countries are clustered around cities. By wielding their development advantages, urban agglomerations have secured their place in global economic development and have gradually become a new regional unit in global competition. E economic aggregate of the BTH urban agglomeration is large, but the per capita GDP that reflects the level of regional economic development is far lower compared to the urban agglomerations of Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. It is important to explore how the evolution of various urban spatial structures have impacted economic efficiency in urban agglomerations. is will contribute to solving problems such as the significant difference in regional economic development of the BTH urban agglomeration compared to other regions as well as uncoordinated regional development, and problems in the process of coordinated development of the spatial structure and economic efficiency of the urban agglomeration and cities within the region
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