A Study On The Measurement Of The Level Of Urban-rural Integration Development Of Urban Agglomerations In The Western Region And The Path To Enhancement

Along with the implementation of China’s rural revitalization strategy and the promotion of new urbanization,it is particularly important to achieve urban-rural co-prosperity through integrated urban-rural development.The report of the 20 th Party Congress points out that the most difficult and onerous task of building a modern socialist country remains in the rural areas,adhering to the priority development of agriculture and rural areas,the integrated development of urban and rural areas,and the smooth flow of urban and rural elements.As an important part of China’s four major sectors,the western region is a major strategic area that is related to the overall economic,social and ecological development of the country,ethnic unity and the stability of the border.Since the implementation of the Western Development Strategy,urban and rural construction in the western region has accelerated,but due to the interaction and constraints of natural,geographical,historical and cultural factors,the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development has always been prominent,and breaking through the dual structure of urban and rural areas to achieve integrated development of urban and rural areas is a long way to go.Against the background that central cities and urban agglomerations are becoming the main spatial forms for carrying population and development factors,the importance and urgency of using urban agglomerations as spatial carriers to promote integrated urban-rural development in a high quality manner has become more and more prominent,and there are both opportunities and challenges.This study focuses on the theoretical analysis,quantitative measurement,empirical testing and optimization of countermeasures to measure the level of urban-rural integration development of urban agglomerations in the western region and the path of improvement.On the basis of the existing research results,this study firstly defines the basic connotation of urban-rural integration,sorts out the relevant theories of urban-rural integration in urban agglomerations,and establishes an analytical framework of urban-rural integration development in urban agglomerations in the economic-social-ecological trinity.Secondly,the study identifies the dimensions of urban-rural integration in urban agglomerations,and selects 13 indicators in three dimensions,namely,urban-rural economic integration,urban-rural social integration and urban-rural ecological integration,in accordance with the principles of scientific objectivity and comprehensiveness,and establishes a system for measuring the level of urban-rural integration development in urban agglomerations using the entropy method and the weighted average method.This system is used to quantitatively measure the level of urban-rural integration development of six major urban agglomerations in the western region from 2011 to 2020,and to conduct a dynamic and three-dimensional investigation and analysis in both time and space.Again,using panel data models and methods,the study empirically examines the factors influencing the level of urban-rural integration development in the western region and the major urban agglomerations,and reveals the main problems that exist at the present stage.Finally,the findings of the study are combined to propose ways and countermeasures to improve the level of urban-rural integration development of urban agglomerations in the western region more effectively.The study finds that: firstly,the level of urban-rural integration development in urban agglomerations in the western region is fluctuating and rising,with significant regional spatial differences.The urban-rural integration development level of major urban agglomerations varies,forming a distribution pattern of urban-rural integration development level of urban agglomerations in the western region,with the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration being superior in the long term,the Qianzhong urban agglomeration and Lanxi urban agglomeration actively catching up,the Beibu Gulf urban agglomeration being stable in the middle,and the Guanzhong Plain urban agglomeration and the Central Yunnan urban agglomeration being on the lower side.The central cities within the urban agglomerations have a relatively high level of urban-rural integration and have long been ranked at the top.Second,urban-rural economic integration and urban-rural social integration contribute more to the urban-rural integration development level of major urban agglomerations in the western region,and are key factors in the urban-rural integration of urban agglomerations in the western region.The level of urban-rural ecological integration in urban agglomerations in the western region is lower,and the contribution to urban-rural integration is lower.Thirdly,the level of urban-rural integration development in urban agglomerations in the western region is influenced by various factors such as the level of innovation,urban development intensity and infrastructure investment,among which an increase in urban development intensity has a positive effect on the level of urban-rural integration development,and an increase in the level of innovation can also effectively promote urban-rural integration development in the region.At the same time,urban-rural integration in urban agglomerations in the western region faces problems such as large natural geographical constraints,inadequate market mechanisms,insufficient driving by central cities,relatively poor infrastructure and unbalanced regional development.Taking into account the findings of the study and the actual situation in the western region,this study points out that at present and in the future,efforts should be made to enhance the level of urban-rural integration development in urban agglomerations in the western region by relying on urban agglomerations to strengthen strategic coordination and planning guidance,build a solid economic foundation for urban and rural areas,promote urban-rural social integration,and complement the ecological base of urban and rural areas.First,we should strengthen strategic coordination and planning guidance,and promote urban-rural integration according to local conditions.Second,we should build a solid economic foundation for urban-rural integration,cultivate and strengthen market players,optimize industrial structures and promote the orderly flow of key factors between urban and rural areas.Third,we should improve the hardware and software for urban-rural social integration,and promote the interconnection of infrastructure and the equalization of basic public services between cities in urban agglomerations.Fourthly,we should complement the ecological base of urban and rural areas,strengthen the ecological environment of urban and rural areas in urban agglomerations,take multiple measures to optimize the urban and rural living environment,and gradually make up for the low level of ecological integration of urban and rural areas in urban agglomerations in the western region.