Measurement of Logistics Radiation Range and Improvement of Logistics Radiation Ability of City Clusters

The current development plans for logistics of city clusters often pursue investment speed, while overlooking the economic benefits of logistics within city clusters. To prevent the waste of logistics resources, it is meaningful to study the meaning of the logistics radiation ability of city clusters and determine their logistics radiation range. Taking Ningbo Metropolitan Area as an example, this paper tries to measure logistics radiation range and improve logistics radiation ability of city clusters. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was adopted to quantify the logistics influencing factors. Besides, an improved breakpoint model was established based on the breakpoint theory, the logistics radiation range model, and the integrated logistics field theory. Drawing on the statistics in 2017, the improved model was applied to empirically measure the variation of integrated logistics quality of eight cities and determine the logistics radiation ranges of Ningbo Metropolitan Area relative to Shanghai Metropolitan Area and Hangzhou Metropolitan Area. Finally, several countermeasures were developed to improve the logistics radiation ability of Ningbo Metropolitan Area: the positioning of metropolitan areas, the model of logistics development, the development of industries closely associated with logistics, and the cultivation of strategic locational advantages. The research provides a good reference for the government of Ningbo to develop advantageous logistics fields around advantages and turn the city into an economic center.