Title: Research on the symbiosis of port and city based on symbiosis theory: empirical evidence from China's coastal port groups

Authors: Deng Zhao; Li Zhenfu; Duan Wei

Addresses: Hebei Public Policy Evaluation Research Center, School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, No.438 Hebei Street, Qinhuangdao City, Hebei Province, China ' College of Transportation Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1, Linghai Road, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China ' College of Transportation Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, No. 1, Linghai Road, Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China

Abstract: Based on the symbiosis theory, this paper uses symbiosis degree and symbiosis coefficient models to identify the symbiosis mode between the port and the city in China's coastal port groups. 1) From 2010 to 2019, the port development level has generally shown a downward trend, but the overall city development level was rising. The level of port development has also decreased in cities where the city development level has declined or slowed down; 2) Ports and cities exhibit two modes of symbiosis: positive mutualism and reverse competition mutualism. However, the number of cities with positive mutualism is gradually decreasing. 3) Cities that have switched from a symbiosis model to a reverse competition mutualism model are followed by cities that maintain the mutualism symbiosis model with ports. 4) Ports and cities perform in an asymmetric symbiosis mode and the symbiosis mode has gradually shifted from more significant city influences to the port-city influences.

Keywords: symbiosis theory; coastal port groups; port-city relationship; symbiosis coefficient model; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2023.128578

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2023 Vol.16 No.1/2, pp.210 - 230

Received: 04 Apr 2022
Accepted: 25 Aug 2022
Published online: 26 Jan 2023 *

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