This study aims to investigate the coupling coordination relationship between new infrastructure construction (NIC) and high-quality development (HQD) from the perspective of urban agglomerations, analyse its spatial-temporal evolution characteristics and reveal the underlying driving mechanisms.
This study focuses on the Shandong Peninsula urban agglomeration. By creating an indicator system for NIC and HQD, the study explores the coupling coordination degree (CCD) by employing the entropy weight approach and CCD model. Furthermore, it analyses the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors by using nonparametric kernel density estimation, the Dagum Gini coefficient and the Tobit panel regression model.
1) Over time, the developmental levels of NIC and HQD within urban agglomerations and their CCD have shown a steady upward trend. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, the CCD between NIC and HQD within urban agglomerations exhibits a “core-periphery” structure. (3) The CCD of NIC and HQD is influenced by various factors.
Current research mainly emphasises national and provincial levels, exhibiting a paucity of studies centred on urban agglomerations. Most studies emphasise the effect of NIC on specific fields, indirectly exploring its role in HQD. However, a systematic understanding of the overall development trends of both is lacking. This study provides quantitative support for policies aimed at building a modern NIC system and advancing HQD collaboratively within urban agglomerations.
