On the coupling coordination of population-economy-space urbanization:a case study of the dual city economic circle in the Chengdu-Chongqing region

The Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle occupies a unique and important position in the overall strategy of national development. Based on the entropy method and the coupling coordination degree model, the population, economy, spatial urbanization level and coupling coordination of 44 prefecture-level counties (districts and cities) in Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle are analyzed. The results show that: (1) The spatial differentiation of economic urbanization level in Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is the most significant, reflecting the great difference in economic development among cities. (2) In the process of urbanization, the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is dominated by spatial urbanization, which in turn dominates the economic urbanization and population urbanization. (3) There are obvious regional differences within the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle. The urbanization level of Chengdu and the city proper of Chongqing is relatively high, and the urbanization score decreases from inside to outside, forming a cascade differentiation. (4) The urbanization coupling level among population, economy and space or between one another in Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is low, staying generally in the antagonistic stage. (5) Based on the level of coordination, it can be divided into four types. The coupling and coordination level of population-economy-space urbanization in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle is low, and the strong support of the government in policy provides great development potential for the coordinated development of cities in Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle.