Chongqing's Path to Better Economic Development: A Different Look

What makes a region develop economically in a high-quality way? This question is explored in a study that focuses on Chongqing's "One District, Two Groups" initiative from 2017 to 2021. By creating an index system with dimensions like economic vitality, coordinated growth, green development, and digital progress, researchers used the entropy weight TOPSIS method and a coupling coordination model to measure the region's economic performance. The findings paint an interesting picture. Overall, the high-quality economic development in the "One District, Two Groups" area has been on the rise each year. But not all parts are developing at the same pace. The main city metropolitan area leads the way, followed by southeast and northeast Chongqing.How well the regions work together, or their coupling coordination, is another story. While it has been improving annually, the level is still quite low. The main city metropolitan area shows steady growth, while the "two groups" are diverging. There's no clear evidence that these regions are converging in their development levels. Obstacles also vary across the regions. Overall, economic vitality is the biggest hurdle, followed by coordinated development, green development, and digital development. The main city has its own order: green development, economic vitality, coordinated development, and digital development. Understanding these details helps us see where improvements are needed for better economic development across Chongqing.