Measurement and Spatio–Temporal Pattern Evolution of Urban–Rural Integration Development in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle

Abstract

This paper focuses on the level of urban–rural integration development and its spatio–temporal evolution patterns in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle. It constructs an evaluation indicator system encompassing five dimensions: population, economy, society, ecology, and space. By comprehensively using statistical data and multi-source spatio–temporal data and employing methods such as the entropy method, ESDA, obstacle degree model, and various statistical techniques, the study measures and analyzes the level of urban–rural integration development at three time points: 2010, 2015, and 2020. The findings are as follows: (1) The overall level of urban–rural integration is low, predominantly at low to lower-middle levels, with a clear core-periphery spatial pattern where central urban areas such as Chengdu’s central seven districts and Chongqing’s central urban districts are high-value cores, whereas peripheral and central regional areas are less integrated. (2) From 2010 to 2020, there was a steady increase in integration levels, transitioning from a single-core to a more dynamic point-axis structure with emerging regional growth poles. However, this transition was accompanied by reduced inequality of urban–rural integration within each city, while disparities among central urban areas within its cities gradually increased. (3) The analysis of obstacles across dimensions indicates that spatial integration faces the most significant barriers, mainly due to geographical conditions and development constraints in southwestern mountainous counties. In contrast, barriers to economic and social integration, though initially lower, have gradually increased, highlighting imbalances between economic growth and social service provision. Overall, this study not only provides a systematic measurement and analytical framework for the integration and development of urban and rural areas in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle but also offers theoretical and empirical support for global research and practice on urban–rural integration. Additionally, it proposes targeted policy recommendations.