TITLE:
Shifting Centers of Gravity: Analyzing the Changing Patterns of Population and Economy in China
AUTHORS:
Donglin Yuan, Jeewook Hwang
KEYWORDS:
Gravity Centers, Regional Uneven Development, North-South Differences, Geographic Detector Model
JOURNAL NAME:
Current Urban Studies,
Vol.11 No.2,
June
13,
2023
ABSTRACT: This study examined: 1) the shifting patterns of
population, economy, and center of gravity in each industry using the regional
center of gravity model, and 2) the socioeconomic factors influencing the economy
and population in China using the geographic detector model. Several major
findings included the following: First, the population and economic gravity
center have shifted generally to the southwest. The centroid of gravity model can
capture the changes in regional disparities from a dynamic perspective and
visualize the changes over time. Second, while both the primary and secondary
sectors have transferred their centers of gravity to the northwest, the
tertiary sector’s center of gravity has shifted to the southwest. Third,
educational resources, financial distribution, and the tertiary sector have a
substantial influence on economic growth,
whereas the impact of financial distribution, educational resources, and the
secondary sector on population density growth is relatively significant. This
study contributes to offering valuable insights into the changing patterns of
population, economy, and industry in China, as well.