Spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of high quality economic development: Case study of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

With the increase in global economic integration, high-quality economic development (HQED) has become a common goal of all countries. Based on these five development concepts, this paper uses the Gini coefficient, trend surface analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), the entropy weighting method, and standard deviation ellipse analysis to study the spatio-temporal pattern and driving mechanism of HQED in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This paper examines the spatial and temporal patterns and driving mechanisms of HQED in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) based on five development concepts. The study revealed that (1) HQED is on the rise overall, but at the same time, it highlights the uneven development of multiple dimensions, especially in terms of significant differences in innovation, openness, and sharing. (2) HQED shows a clear center-periphery structure, with Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong as the core high-value areas; the growth rate of HQED capacity in the internal areas is significantly greater than that in the external areas, and HQED is prominent in the cities around Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. (3) Factors such as agglomeration level, human capital, foreign investment, infrastructure development, financial and environmental protection expenditures, and financial inputs, and scientific, and technological inputs have a significant positive effect on HQED, and their interactions are further strengthened. This study reveals the importance of the realization of HQED in the GBA and the promotion of the overall development of the region.