Spatial Polarization and Coordinated Development Pathways in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle: A Structuralist Perspective on Interstitial Regional Dynamics

Abstract

 Since the inception of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle in January 2020, Sichuan and Chongqing have collaborated to build an international metropolis, achieving significant progress. It is important to note that the urban cluster between Chengdu and Chongqing lacks a gradient scale, exhibiting a phenomenon of two dominant cores while the central region experiences a hollowing-out effect. Beyond Chengdu and Chongqing, the GDP of the two core cities has reached a high level, but the economic development of other towns is relatively behind, failing to create a practical tiered layout. This has resulted in an imbalance in the overall development of the Twin Cities Economic Circle, lacking intermediate levels of support and momentum. The author examines the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle's development process and the issue of Central hollowing-out, which refers to the lagging development of the central region compared to Chengdu and Chongqing. The Central hollowing-out Phenomenon primarily arises from the central region's homogeneous industrial structure, insufficient innovation capacity, uneven resource distribution, and a host of other issues. In response, the construction strategy for the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle should be further refined to bolster industrial upgrading and transformation in the central region, enhance technological innovation capabilities, improve infrastructure, and optimize resource allocation to ensure the overall coordinated development of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.