The Scene Logic of Innovative Talent Agglomeration: An Empirical Study Based on 54 Cities in China

Abstract

In recent years, China has been steadily implementing its innovation-driven development strategy, underscoring the vital importance of attracting innovative talents to cities. Major cities have come to realize that securing such talent is essential for maintaining sustainable urban competitiveness in the future. This article takes a novel perspective by focusing on the role of urban scenes, with a particular emphasis on the cultural, lifestyle, and quality-of-life factors that are crucial for attracting and retaining innovative talent, which is essential for sustainable urban growth. Utilizing ridge regression analysis, this study scrutinizes the scores across various sub-dimensions of urban ambiance and the location quotient of innovative talent in 54 cities nationwide. We report several findings. Firstly, urban scenes play a pivotal role in talent agglomeration, a critical factor for sustainable development. Secondly, both rational and transgressive scenes positively impact the gathering of scientific and financial talents, with transgressive scenes having a more pronounced effect. Thirdly, self-expressive scenes may counterintuitively impede the clustering of scientific and cultural talents, a finding that contrasts with international research outcomes. In conclusion, this study sheds light on how urban scenes drive the sustainable concentration of innovative talents, thus contributing to the enrichment of theoretical understanding of sustainable talent development and practical insights for policymakers aiming to create urban environments that foster innovation and sustainability.