Measurement and Spatio-Temporal Characteristics of High-Quality Development Efficiency in Metropolitan Areas: A Case Study of the Changchun Metropolitan Area

Abstract

The concept of high-quality development (HQD) is characterized by its emphasis on efficiency, equity, and environmental sustainability. In the context of China’s new urbanization development, the metropolitan area plays a crucial role in facilitating and sustaining HQD. This study focuses on the Changchun Metropolitan Area (CCMA) as a case study to measure the efficiency of high-quality development (HQDE) at the county level using the super-efficiency SBM model and spatial autocorrelation model. Additionally, we examine the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of HQDE in terms of economy, innovation, coordination, greenness, openness, and sharing (EICGOS). The main findings are as follows: (1) The HQDE of the CCMA ranges from 0.7 to 0.8 with an initial rapid increase followed by a gradual decline; however, there are notable variations among different counties. (2) Regarding spatial structure within the metropolitan area, highest efficiency is observed in the half-hour living circle followed by the 2-h accessibility circle while lowest efficiency is found in the 1-h commuting circle. Over time, there is a declining trend in efficiency within core leading areas. (3) In terms of dimensions, CCMA demonstrates the highest level of economic development efficiency (EDE), whereas green development efficiency (GDE) exhibits lower levels compared to other dimensions. Furthermore, development efficiencies across all dimensions show a decline over time. (4) Spatially distributed patterns reveal significant agglomeration areas for HQDE within the CCMA region. High-high agglomeration areas are predominantly concentrated in the central region of Changchun and southern region of Liaoyuan while low-low agglomeration areas primarily exist in northwest Songyuan and specific counties within Changchun. To attain HQD of the CCMA, it is advisable to bolster the economic scale of the central city, mitigate developmental disparities between counties and cities, and expedite green transformations in old industrial cities. These findings offer a valuable point of reference for optimizing resource allocation at the metropolitan level and devising strategies to foster regional HQD.