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Integrating Higher Education Strategies into Urban Cluster Development: Spatial Agglomeration Analysis of China’s Key Regions

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  • Yangguang Hu

    (School of Economics and Statistics, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Chuang Yang

    (School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China)

  • Junfeng Ma

    (School of Teacher Education, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China)

Abstract

As urbanization accelerates globally, higher education agglomeration (HEA) emerges as a critical mechanism for integrating regional economic theories with practical strategies, driving innovation and sustainable development. This paper examines how HEA promotes innovation, human capital accumulation, industrial restructuring, and equitable income distribution across 193 cities in the “Two Transverse and Three Lengthways” urban clusters from 2006 to 2020. Using dynamic panel regression and spatial econometric models, the results show that HEA yields significant local and spatial spillover benefits, particularly in core cities that facilitate knowledge diffusion and resource sharing. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that these positive spillovers are strongest in first-tier, highly developed clusters and third-tier, early-stage clusters but weaker or even negative in second-tier, rapidly expanding regions. These spatial effects grow over time, reflecting the evolving patterns of regional integration. Theoretically, the paper advances the understanding of spatial synergy and spillover mechanisms in HEA in urban clusters. Practically, the findings highlight the need to tailor higher education strategies to the developmental stage of each urban cluster to optimize resource allocation and foster inclusive growth. This paper provides policy insights for using HEA as a catalyst for coordinated urban development.

Suggested Citation

  • Yangguang Hu & Chuang Yang & Junfeng Ma, 2025. "Integrating Higher Education Strategies into Urban Cluster Development: Spatial Agglomeration Analysis of China’s Key Regions," Economies, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:13:y:2025:i:6:p:167-:d:1675694
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Congying Ma & Hongchao Wu & Xiuhong Li, 2023. "Spatial spillover of local general higher education expenditures on sustainable regional economic growth: A spatial econometric analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, November.
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    4. Mohammed N. Abu Alfoul & Ayman Hassan Bazhair & Ibrahim N. Khatatbeh & Adam G. Arian & Mahmoud N. Abu Al-Foul, 2024. "The Effect of Education on Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries: Do Institutions Matter?," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    5. Peter Gordon & Karima Kourtit, 2020. "Agglomeration and clusters near and far for regional development: A critical assessment," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(3), pages 387-396, June.
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