[Objective] Understanding the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions is fundamental for promoting their development and formulating spatial planning strategies. This study aimed to shed light on the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and explore the underlay mechanism by focusing on intercity functional linkages of human element flows. [Methods] Based on the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages of human element flows, a theoretical framework of analysis was developed to analyze the spatial organization forms of metropolitan regions and mechanism. Using the Shanghai Metropolitan Region as a case study, this study employed spatiotemporal big data and traffic isochrons to identify the spatial and temporal characteristics associated with the destinations of intercity functional linkages driven by human element flows. [Results] (1) Metropolitan regions are functional regions shaped by the intercity functional linkages. These linkages dominate the spatial organization of metropolitan regions. (2) The intercity functional linkages of human element flows are spatially associated with the unique urban functions of core cities, while its temporal constraints require support from intercity rapid transportation systems. (3) Under the dominance of intercity functional linkages, the spatial organization of metropolitan regions manifests as “circles + chains”, resulting from the spatial-temporal compression and pipeline effects of the rapid transportation system, as well as the spatiotemporal characteristics of intercity functional linkages. [Conclusion] The “circles + chains” spatial organization form emerged from the reshaping of metropolitan region spatial organization by the “space of flow” represented by intercity functional linkages. Therefore, the spatial planning strategies of the metropolitan region should construct a system of the “space of flow” for supporting intercity functional linkages.

[Objective] Exploring the construction logic of China’s metropolitan regions governance system is conducive to enriching and deepening the research of “city-region” governance mechanism, and providing a scientific basis for promoting the optimisation of the governance structure and high-quality development of the metropolitan regions. [Methods] Based on the integrated analysis framework of rescaling and multi-level governance, this study comprehensively used qualitative research methods to analyze the construction process of the governance system in Nanjing Metropolitan Region. [Results] (1) The municipal governments, provincial governments, and central government carried out governance activities dominated by the behavioral motives of economic growth, spatial rescaling, and stable development, respectively. (2) The lower-level governments mainly expressed their governance demands through the scale shift strategy of upward voice transmission, and guided the downward flow of power and resources; the higher-level governments mainly conveyed their governance intentions through the scale shift strategy of downward responsibility setting, and shaped the governance rules where constraints and incentives coexist. (3) The rescaling of power relations has promoted the formation of a multi-level governance structure, which is specifically manifested in the reshaping of intergovernmental relations (governments at the same level have shifted from “race to the bottom” to cooperation and co-design, and governments at the upper and lower levels have shifted from commanding-following to cooperating) and the reshaping of government-market relations (the governments’ active choice and policy decision on the market accumulation mode). [Conclusion] Multi-level governments jointly promoted the construction of governance system in China’s metropolitan regions. Each level of government should further clarify its identity and governance objectives, and flexibly use diverse scale shift strategies to strengthen collaboration between governments at the same level and at higher and lower levels, so as to respond to the national spatial strategy of “accelerating the cultivation and development of modern metropolitan regions”.

[Objective]Identifying the core and peripheral areas of a metropolitan region is crucial for analyzing its development issues. Characterizing the core-periphery spatial structure of a metro‐ politan region by coupling the spatial environment and human social activities is of great signifi‐ cance for optimizing the spatial resource allocation of the metropolitan region. [Methods] Focusing on the Guangzhou Metropolitan Region and Shenzhen Metropolitan Region, this study uses multi-source data (land-use data, remote sensing images) and methods like the coupling coordination degree model to identify primary and secondary core area and classify the latter. [Results] (1) From 2010 to 2020, high-quality coordinated areas in both regions increased rapidly, clustering in city centers with well-coordinated areas expanding from center to periphery.(2) The Guangzhou Metropolitan Region’s core area expanded mainly through near-boundary filling, maintaining a relatively stable spatial pattern. In contrast, Shenzhen’s core area expanded corridor-like towards the northeast of Shenzhen City and central-eastern Dongguan City, forming a strip-continuous spatial form. (3) Peripheral areas were classified into four types: suburban residential, industrial and logistics park, agricultural and ecological protection, emerging development, transitional mixed. In Guangzhou, the northeastern side of the primary core area was mostly agricultural/ecological, while the southwestern side was transitional mixed. Shenzhen’s peripheral areas are complex, primarily distributed in Huizhou City. [Conclusion] Core and peripheral areas’ spatial forms differ significantly. Strengthening core-periphery connections, optimizing peripheral area positioning and labor division, and implementing differentiated strategies are effective ways to promote coordinated development.

[Objective] The development level of the digital economy is an important manifestation of regional high-quality development. Exploring the development pattern of provincial digital economy is conducive to improving the core competitiveness of regional high-quality development. [Methods] Based on the impact of the new development concept on the high-quality development of the digital economy, this study constructed a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for the high-quality development of the digital economy at the provincial level, took Jiangsu Province as an example to reveal the spatial pattern of the high-quality development of the digital economy, and conducted spatial correlation analysis through the Moran’s I. The dynamic mechanism was explored by using Geodetector. [Results] (1) In terms of spatial differentiation characteristics, the innovative development, coordinated development, green development, open development, and shared development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province showed the distribution characteristics of dual-core multi-points longitudinal two zones, dual-core multi-points latitudinal two zones, dual-core two belts and one zone, dual-core three circles, and dual-core two zones, respectively. Its comprehensive characteristics are reflected in the distribution of dual-core, multi-points, two belts, and three areas; (2) The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the spatial pattern of high-quality digital economy development in Jiangsu Province showed obvious agglomeration characteristics as a whole, especially in the three metropolitan regions of Jiangsu Province—the Suzhou-Wuxi-Changzhou metropolitan region was the most significant, followed by the Nanjing metropolitan region, and the Xuzhou metropolitan region was relatively weak; (3) The driving mechanism was as follows: economic scale factor, social factor, and consumption factor had the strongest impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in the province, followed by economic structure factor and location factor. Economic scale factor was obviously stronger than economic structure factor. Compared with the provincial capital Nanjing, Shanghai, the central city of the Yangtze River Delta region, had a more obvious impact on the high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province. [Conclusion] The high-quality development of the digital economy in Jiangsu Province already has advantages, but the development pattern still needs to be optimized, and the driving mechanism is not efficient enough. In order to further improve the high-quality development level of the digital economy in the province, relevant development policies should be formulated according to the development characteristics and problems.

[Objective] Metropolitan regions, as important carriers of highly concentrated resources and development factors, face numerous ecological and environmental challenges in the process of urbanization. Based on the human-environment relationship, analyzing the coupling mechanisms between urbanization and eco-environment in metropolitan regions of different development types or core-periphery regions will provide new perspectives for understanding these challenges. [Methods] This study used nighttime light data to represent human urbanization activities and remote sensing ecological data to represent the eco-environment. It employed coupling coordination models and coefficient of variation analyses to examine the spatiotemporal change of urbanization and eco-environmental quality across the whole metropolitan regions, different development types, and core-periphery regions from 2000 to 2020. It also analyzed the coupling coordination mechanisms between urbanization and eco-environmental quality. [Results] The findings indicate that: (1) Over 20 years, the urbanization level of the 28 metropolitan regions consistently increased, with a spatial pattern of high in the east and low in the west. Mature metropolitan regions showed the highest urbanization level and the fastest growth. Core regions had a higher urbanization level than peripheral regions. (2) Over 20 years, the eco-environmental quality of the 28 metropolitan regions generally declined, with a high in the south and low in the north pattern. Mature metropolitan regions had the best eco-environmental quality but saw the fastest decline. Peripheral regions outperformed core regions in eco-environmental quality. (3) Over 20 years, the coupling coordination degree of 28 metropolitan regions increased annually, with a high in the east and low in the west pattern. Mature metropolitan regions showed the highest coupling coordination degree and the fastest growth. Core regions had a higher coupling coordination degree than peripheral regions. The 57 new coordinated cities emerging during this period are primarily concentrated in emerging metropolitan regions and peripheral regions, suggesting that these regions have greater potential for promoting coupled and coordinated development. (4) Urbanization negatively impacted eco-environmental quality, with an inverted U-shaped relationship between urbanization level and the coupling coordination degree. [Conclusion] In advancing the construction of modern metropolitan regions, it is essential for cities to recognize the inverted U-shaped relationship between urbanization development level and the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and eco-environmental quality.

[Objective] The high-quality development of metropolitan regions is of great significance for promoting the transformation and upgrading of the economic structure and the construction of a new development pattern. This study aimed to clarify the connotation of high-quality development in metropolitan regions, explore the characteristics of change and driving factors of the high-quality development level of emerging metropolitan areas represented by the Xuzhou Metropolitan Region, and provide references for the construction of modern metropolitan regions. [Methods] This study first analyzed the connotation of high-quality development in metropolitan regions. Based on the panel data from 2010 to 2020, the spatiotemporal dynamic entropy method, kernel density estimation curves, and social network analysis were used to evaluate the high-quality development level of the Xuzhou Metropolitan Region from multiple dimensions. The obstacle degree model and quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression were used to explore its driving factors. [Results] (1) The economic and social development quality and the eco-environmental quality of Xuzhou Metropolitan Region have been steadily improved. However, there were uncoordinated growth rates among these three aspects. The spatial patterns of economic and social development quality exhibited an obvious core-periphery structure, while the eco-environmental quality showed the opposite pattern. (2) The radiation connection from the central city to the metropolitan region presented a radial network structure. Both the in-degree and out-degree were continuously increasing, but the net radiation did not change significantly. There was a positive correlation between the increase in the density of the radiation connection network and the reduction of regional development gaps. (3) Scientific and technological innovation, opening-up to the outside world, and ecological land protection were the main factors influencing the improvement of the development quality of the Xuzhou Metropolitan Region. The radiation capacity of the central city and the integration degree of the metropolitan region were increasingly affected by the differential allocation of economic and social factors and the coordinated protection of the eco-environment, while the impacts of geographical distance and administrative divisions were weakening. [Conclusion] From 2010 to 2020, the development quality of the Xuzhou Metropolitan Region steadily improved, with the radiating capacity of the central city and the level of metropolitan integration also strengthening. Based on the issues observed in the practical development of the Xuzhou Metropolitan Region and the driving factors for high-quality development, it is recommended to accelerate the enhancement of the central city’s capabilities, deepen the level of openness to the outside world, promote coordinated ecological and environmental protection within the metropolitan region, and strengthen the joint provision and sharing of public services.

[Objective] Informatization has been widely conceptualized as an important force that drives high-quality development, and it is of great significance to explore the actual impacts and its influencing paths. [Methods] Based on the panel data of 100 prefecture-level cities in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region from 2010 to 2019, this study examined the impact of informatization on high-quality development and its influencing path by employing spatial Durbin model and the mediation effect model. [Results] (1) The informatization and high-quality development of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region showed an overall improvement trend, with obvious spatiotemporal differences. (2) There was a spatial autocorrelation between informatization and high-quality development in the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, but high-value agglomeration occurred only in the Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration. (3) Informatization can effectively promote high-quality development and had spatial spillover effects, and entrepreneurial activity played a mediating role. (4) The mediation effects of entrepreneurial activity were different between IT enterprises and non-IT enterprises. Informatization had a greater impact on the entrepreneurial activities of IT enterprises. [Conclusion] Informatization can promote high-quality development of local and surrounding areas through entrepreneurial activities. The Pan-Pearl River Delta Region should continuously advance informatization, encourage entrepreneurship, and take advantage of the driving effects of key cities, to achieve high-quality development of the whole area.

[Objective] An effective intergovernmental cooperation network and a robust foundation for collaboration are essential for the effective control of transboundary water pollution. This study examined the factors that influence the intergovernmental cooperation network for water pollution prevention and control in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. The objective was to provide scientific policy recommendations and practical references for the governance of regional water pollution. [Methods] The study used data from water pollution prevention policies and agreements issued by local governments of 27 cities between 2017 and 2023 in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. It employed social network analysis and GIS spatial analysis to examine the intergovernmental cooperation network for water pollution prevention. Based on this, the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) model used three primary indicators—economic, geographic, and environmental—and eight secondary indicators to measure their impacts on the intergovernmental cooperation network for water pollution prevention. [Results] (1) The water pollution prevention cooperation network was large, forming three distinct subgroups centered around the Shanghai-Suzhou, Nanjing-Hefei, and Hangzhou-Ningbo urban alliances. (2) The cooperation network was significantly correlated with multiple indicators: economically, it was closely related to total GDP, fiscal autonomy, and the proportion of the secondary industry; geographically, it was influenced by whether cities belong to the same metropolitan area, the same river basin, or are geographically adjacent; environmentally, it was associated with permanent population density and COD emissions. (3) Regression analysis indicated that geographic factors had the greatest impact on the cooperation network, with environmental governance agreements primarily established between geographically proximate cities. Fiscal autonomy among economic factors and COD emissions among environmental factors also influenced cross-boundary cooperative management to some extent. [Conclusion] Currently, the water pollution cooperative management network is passive, based mainly on geographic proximity and metropolitan area affiliation. In the future, more collaborative actions based on holistic watershed management are needed.

[Objective] As an important carrier of the flow of various factors, population flow plays an important role in enhancing the competitiveness of cities and promoting the integration of urban areas. From the perspective of districts and counties scale, it is of great significance to accurately grasp the micro-pattern and internal mechanism of population flow in the Wuhan Metropolitan Region for promoting regional integration and realizing high-quality regional development. [Methods] Taking the Wuhan Metropolitan Region as the research object and based on the mobile signaling big data, point of interest (POI) data and social and economic data in November 2020, the social network analysis method and quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression model were applied to analyze the temporal and spatial characteristics of daily population flow in the Wuhan Metropolitan Region at the districts and counties scale. The study also identified the structural characteristics of the population flow network and related influencing factors. [Results] (1) From a spatiotemporal perspective, population flows between districts and counties within the Wuhan Metropolitan Region demonstrate significantly higher frequency and intensity on weekdays compared to weekends. The daily population movement patterns are predominantly characterized by intra-city flows within individual prefecture-level cities, while simultaneously exhibiting multiple small-scale inter-city circulation loops across administrative boundaries. (2) The central and eastern districts and counties of the Wuhan Metropolitan Region frequently participated in the cross-regional population flow and social interaction, and played a core supporting role in the development and operation of the population flow network. (3) The barrier effect of administrative boundaries was most obvious in daily population movement, which is also affected by institutional and cultural barriers within the urban circle. Differences in per capita GDP, educational resources and medical services among counties were key factors that drove population mobility. [Conclusion] Districts and counties should take into account their own economic development characteristics and resource endowments to optimize resource allocation in urban areas from the aspects of breaking administrative barriers, increasing education and medical infrastructure, and stimulating economic vitality, in order to accelerate the integration process, reduce the phenomenon of “polarization”, and achieve high-quality regional development.

[Objective] This study aimed to propose an systematic evaluation method of land resource carrying capacity based on human exploitation and settlement patterns, to provide a reference for the improvement of the evaluation technical standard system of various individual factors and comprehensive carrying capacity in China’s territorial spatial planning. [Methods] By putting forward the new concepts and indicators of the human exploitation and settlement patterns, production monomer, productive construction land parameter and employment density parameter, this study revealed the micro-quantitative connection relationship between human production activities and land resources. It then constructed the linkage equation of land resource carrying capacity.Therefore, this study proposed the evaluation method of land resource carrying capacity based on human exploitation and settlement patterns for the first time, and carried out an empirical study with Jiexiu City in Shanxi Province as an example. [Results] (1) The evaluation method proposed in this study divided human exploitation and settlement patterns into five types, including rural, town, urban, industrial park and scenic spot patterns. It refined and supplemented the division of three-type space of the double evaluation. This method took production monomer as the starting point, comprehensively considered the internal structural relationship among land resources, industry and population, established linkage equation, and further enriched the thinking and method system of multi-factor comprehensive integration and classification evaluation of land resource carrying capacity. (2) A total of 238118 people could be reasonably employed in Jiexiu City. The rural and urban patterns were the main force to absorb employment. The land resource carrying capacity was 426652 people in Jiexiu City, which was in the state of human-land balance. The rural and town exploitation and settlement patterns were in the state of overload, and the urban and industrial park patterns were in the state of balance and surplus respectively. The industrial park pattern still had large carrying potential, which was related to the low efficiency of land use and the low level of intensive and efficient industrial development. Through the development of non-agricultural characteristic industries such as rural tourism, homestays and catering, the rural pattern will remain to be an important carrier of industrial agglomeration and population distribution in the future. [Conclusion] The evaluation method of land resource carrying capacity based on human exploitation and settlement patterns is scientific and useful, and can effectively reflect the differences of land use structure, labor employment and population carrying capacity in different functional spaces. The evaluation of land resource carrying capacity, and the evaluation results can provide beneficial supplements for the evaluation of land resource population carrying capacity in territorial spatial planning.

[Objective] In this study, a quantitative evaluation of cultivated land abandonment governance policies was carried out to provide a basis for guaranteeing the effective operation of cultivated land abandonment governance policy. [Methods] Using the content analysis method and policy modeling consistency (PMC) index, we constructed a policy tool-target-effectiveness analysis framework to quantify and evaluate the cultivated land abandonment governance policy of the central government, main grain-producing areas, and non-main grain-producing areas of China. [Results] The study found that: (1) Cultivated land abandonment governance policies were temporally phased, spatially continuous, and the use of policy tools was becoming increasingly diversified. (2) The policy tools of the three policy subjects were generally based on information disclosure and guidance on measures, each with its own focus. While the administrative control policies were more frequently used by the central government, the main grain-producing areas focused on the assessment and accountability and indirect guidance, and the non-main grain-producing areas preferred the assessment and accountability and the establishment of information ledgers. (3) In terms of policy targets, the three policy subjects attached great importance to strictly controlling the quantity of abandoned land, but still need to pay more attention to improving the quality of cultivated land and optimizing the allocation of agricultural production factors. (4) In terms of policy effectiveness, compared with the progressive development period, China’s cultivated land abandonment governance policy was more reasonably designed in the comprehensive management period, and the effectiveness of the policies shows: central government > non-grain-producing areas > grain-producing areas. But policy areas and policy focus still have space for improvements. [Conclusion] In the future, the three policy subjects should use a combination of policy tools, formulate more targeted and operable cultivated land abandonment governance policies, construct a diversified target system for cultivated land abandonment governance policies, promote cultivated land abandonment governance by types and levels, gradually improve the content effectiveness of cultivated land abandonment governance policies, and give full play to the incremental effect of the policies on the governance of cultivated land abandonment.

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the spatial association network structure and driving factors of new quality productive forces, providing references for its improvement and contributing to the high-quality economic and social development. [Methods] Based on existing research, a comprehensive evaluation indicator system for new quality productive forces was constructed from three aspects: scientific and technological productivity, green productivity, and digital productivity. The social network analysis method was used to explore the spatial association network structure and process of change of new quality productive forces in 30 provinces of China’s mainland from 2013 to 2022. The quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) regression analysis method was applied to dynamically analyze the driving factors of the spatial association network of new quality productive forces. [Results] (1) During the study period, China’s new quality productive forces continuously improved, but there were significant spatial differences. The new quality productive forces showed a spatial distribution characteristic of being higher in the east and lower in the west. (2) The spatial association of new quality productive forces had spatial network characteristics. During the study period, the connectivity of the spatial association network of new quality productive forces increased, while its stability decreased. (3) The eastern region has long been in the core position in the spatial association network of new quality productive forces, with a high centrality, and is the beneficiary of factor flows. In contrast, the central, western, and northeastern regions have lower centrality and are the factor spill-over parties in the spatial association network of new quality productive forces. (4) Industrial structure, foreign trade, the development level of science and education, transportation level, informatization level, and geographical proximity had a driving effect on the formation of the spatial association network of new quality productive forces. [Conclusion] Promoting the development of the spatial association network of new quality productive forces is of great significance for its improvement. It is recommended to improve the spatial association network of new quality productive forces by enhancing the quality of nodes in the network, strengthening the interaction between different regions, and enhancing the overall network connectivity.

[Objective] In order to build a modern industrial system with global competitiveness, China needs to develop some new advantages to participate in the global market by green transformation. This study explored whether China can connect domestic and international resources through cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As), to achieve the development goals of energy saving, carbon reduction and green transformation. [Methods] Based on a mathematical model and the panel data at the industry level for China from 2000 to 2022, this study used the two-way fixed effects model to analyze the impact of cross-border M&As on industrial energy saving and carbon reduction and mechanism. [Results] (1) Chinese enterprise cross-border M&As can reduce the carbon emissions and energy consumption, and help to promote the industrial green transformation. (2) It is affected by factors such as international environmental regulation, the ability of industrial technology transformation, and the upgrading of industrial structure. (3) Heterogeneity analysis showed that the effect of cross-border M&As on green transformation is significant for host countries with relatively high level of economic development, or for the same industries and revealed comparative advantage industries. [Conclusion] The Chinese government should play a positive role in cross-border M&As in the process of industrial green transformation, formulate differentiated policies to promote cross-border M&As according to the industrial characteristics and international environment, and encourage enterprises to learn advanced technologies in the international market, which can promote green transformation through upgrading industrial structure.

[Objective] Exploring the driving factors and improvement paths of agricultural ecological efficiency (AEE) in the main grain producing areas of China is the foundation for guiding different regions to adapt to local conditions and promoting high-quality agricultural development. [Methods] This study constructed a super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model with non-expected outputs to calculate the AEE of the main grain producing areas from 2005 to 2020, and used trend analysis methods to explore its spatial differences and trends of dynamic changes. It then used Geodetector to explore the driving factors of the spatiotemporal changes of AEE, and ways to improve AEE. [Results] (1) The AEE values in the main grain producing areas showed a fluctuating upward trend, while the areas with medium and high efficiency values shifted from north to south. Overall, the three major river basins showed a trend of Yangtze River Basin > Yellow River Basin > Songhua River Basin; The center of gravity of AEE of the main grain producing areas was mainly concentrated in Shandong Province, with a migration trajectory from north to south. (2) From the perspective of endogenous factors, agricultural machinery input was the inherent dominant factor in the differences in AEE in the main grain producing areas, and the interactive combination of agricultural natural resource input and machinery input was the key driving factor; From the perspective of exogenous factors, economic factors had the strongest driving effect on AEE in the main grain producing areas, and the interaction of external factors enhanced the explanatory power to the spatiotemporal changes of AEE. (3) Based on the driving factors, we identified three paths for improving AEE: endogenous driving, dual driving, and resource integration. [Conclusion] The overall development of AEE in the main grain producing areas of China was improving, but regional differences still exist. In order to achieve sustainable agricultural development, it is necessary to strengthen the popularization and application of agricultural mechanization and intelligence, optimize the allocation of agricultural natural resources, and develop characteristic agriculture according to local conditions.

[Objective] Diversified compensation methods are important means to promote environmental pollution control, ecosystem protection, and restoration in ecological functional areas. Under the background of the “dual carbon” target, whether they can promote the green transformation of agricultural production still needs further systematic examination. [Methods] Based on the survey data of farmers in the national key ecological functional areas of Shandong Province and using the finite mixture model to calculate the degree of green transformation of agricultural production, this study empirically analyzed the impact of diversified compensation methods on the green transformation of agricultural production. [Results] (1) Diversified compensation methods have effectively promoted the green transformation of agricultural production in the national key ecological functional areas; (2) The promotion effect of diversified compensation methods on the green transformation of agricultural production varied significantly among different compensation methods and groups of farmers. From the perspective of different compensation methods, the driving effect of “hematopoietic” compensation was significantly stronger than that of “transfusion” compensation. From the perspective of different groups, the larger the scale of land management, the higher the education level of the household-head, and the younger the age of the household-head, the stronger the driving force of diversified compensation methods; (3) Diversified compensation methods can promote the green transformation of agricultural production through four paths: reducing production costs, improving production efficiency, improving income levels, and promoting land transfer. [Conclusion] Therefore, while improving relevant supporting policies, we should focus on exploring diversified compensation methods such as technical training and industrial transfer, adhere to the combination of “transfusion” and “hematopoiesis”, and increase policy support for vulnerable groups.