Study on the Dynamic Evolution and Driving Forces of High-Quality Development of Coal Cities in China

Liyan Sun (), Xindi Hou and Li Yang
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Liyan Sun: School of Economics and Management, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
Xindi Hou: School of Economics and Management, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
Li Yang: School of Economics and Management, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-23

Abstract: To more intuitively demonstrate the locational distribution of spatial agglomeration of HQD (high-quality development) in China’s coal cities, this study uses the entropy value method, standard deviation ellipse, and geographic detector to investigate the law of dynamic evolution and driving factors of HQD in China’s coal cities from 2011 to 2020. The findings are as follows: (1) The HQD level of China’s coal cities is experiencing a positive trajectory, with the highest level of development in the east, followed by the regions located in the center and west of the country, and relatively low in the northeast. Throughout the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan” period, Suzhou made the greatest progress, while Fuxin had the greatest decline. Throughout the “13th Five-Year Plan” period, Xingtai and Handan made the greatest progress, while Qitaihe had the greatest decline. (2) The HQD level of China’s coal cities as a whole shows a northeast–southwest direction, the center of gravity shifts southward, indicating a concentration pattern. The eastern and central areas are oriented in a northwest–southeast direction; the center of gravity in the east shifts to the northwest, and the center of gravity in the middle shifts to the southeast; and both regions have a higher level of HQD in the east–west direction. The western and northeastern regions are in a northeast–southwest direction, with the center of gravity moving to the northeast: the western region shows a tendency toward diffusion, and the northeastern region shows an agglomeration trend. (3) Patent authorization per 10,000 people, foreign trade dependence, R&D investment intensity, and GDP per capita were important drivers for the HQD of China’s coal cities; The degree of government intervention is the best interaction factor, and the degree of opening to the outside world and the forest coverage rate are the best interaction objects.

Keywords: coal cities in China; high-quality development; standard deviation ellipse; geographic detector; interactive detection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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