Acta Geographica Sinica ›› 1994, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (3): 214-225.doi: 10.11821/xb199403003

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TOWARDS THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF THE DELIMITATION OF THE INDUSTRIAL BELT ─A CASE SWDY OF THE INDUSTRIAL BELT ALONG THE QINGDAO-JINAN RAILWAY

Fei Hongping   

  1. Department of Geo and Ocean Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008
  • Online:1994-05-15 Published:1994-05-15

Abstract: Although the researches into the industrial belt which was regarded as a complete regional system at macro-level have been attractive to many geographers, yet the microlevel studies on the industrial belt have so far been completely neglected. The purpose of this paper is to transfer the insights and findings of micro-level analysis of enterprise to the more aggregate macro-level situation ,and to extend this enterprise approach to the aggregate micro-level changes of the Industrial Belt.The paper attempts to combine the enterprise approach with a regional approach by examining the spatial delimitation of an industrial belt. This paper in this issue is arranged around three main sections. We attempt to explore the concept of the industrial belt and the theoretical foundation of its spatial delimitation. The author suggests that an industrial belt is composed of heterogeneous unit,but these spatial units are closely interrelated with each other. The functional interconnections are most clearly visible. Enterprise linkages, long distinguished as important location determinants, are suggested to be used for defining the spatial boundaries of an industrial belt. This is followed by an examination of the problems of the procedure measuring the different division,a set of criteria,and a method for evaluating alternative aggregations with an emphasis on the significance for the industrial belt with the material, service and contact linkages of industrial enterprises or enterprise groups. The spatial delimitation of an industrial belt can be viewed as the problem of how to a aggregate sub-areas into regions. The enterprise and enterprise group were incorporated as the key unit of investigation at the micro-level and a significant dimension in industrial and regional economic analysis. Using the data derived primarily from questionnaire and interview surveys conducted in a representative sample of 490 large and mediumsize industrial enterprises and 30 enterprise groups throughout the Region in 1991, We determined the spatial delimitation of the Industrial Belt along the Qingdao-Jinan Railway. Multivariate ordination techniques are employed to assess the combined influence of various linkages on this Industrial Belt.According to the spatial differentitation of the degrees of linkages of materials,information,services,personnels,transportation and commercials between these spatial units, the Industrial Belt along the Qingdao-Jinan Railway is divided into the three different spatial types as follows:(1)very closely linked region,(2)closely linked region,and (3) semi-Closely linked region.On the basis of these findings,it is suggested that this study should attempt not only to provide a new approach to economic regionalization, but also to provide more evidence for allocation and planning of the Industrial Belt along the Qingdao-Jinan Railway.

Key words: industrial belt, Enterprise linkage, Industrial agglomeration, along the Qingdao-Jinan Railway, Industrial linkages, Division of Spatial boundaries