Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

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Science of the Total Environment

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenv

Regional industrial synergy: Potential and path crossing the

“environmental mountain”
Yiping Chen, Hongtao Nie, Jingjing Chen, Lihong Peng ⁎
College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China

H I G H L I G H T S G R A P H I C A L A B S T R A C T

• Proposed a development model that

breaks the “self-development” in re-
gional economy.
• Synergetic development can unlock
greater potential for economic growth.
• Regional industrial synergy is effective
to crossing “environmental mountain”.
• The metropolitan area is a more appro-
priate scale to promote regional syner-
getic development.

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Regional cooperation and common development are the new normal strategies of regional sustainable develop-
Received 21 July 2020 ment and important approaches that positively affect economic globalization. Breaking the “small island think-
Received in revised form 21 September 2020 ing” model of a region or a country that only relies on “self-development” in economic development, exploring
Accepted 25 September 2020
new kinetic energy for regional economic growth, and tapping the new potential of coupling development of
Available online 3 October 2020
economy and environment are important tasks to promote regional coordinated development. Benefits of re-
Editor: Huu Hao Ngo gional industrial synergy in terms of economic growth, energy conservation, and consumption reduction are
discussed on the basis of the synergetic development of regional industries as the entry point. Modified spatial
Keywords: gravity model, location quotient (LQ), LQ ratio (LQR), Krugman regional division index, industrial structure sim-
Synergetic development ilarity coefficient (S), time series analysis, and scenario analysis are applied. In addition, the “Xia–Zhang–Quan”
Environmental mountain Metropolitan Area is considered as a case. Results show that: (1) the three industrial development of Xiamen,
Time series analysis Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou has evident gradient structure, but the industrial structure has serious isomorphism
“Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area (Sxq = 0.94, Sxz = 0.96, Sqz = 0.98); (2) Xiamen and Zhangzhou can achieve synergetic development through
intra-industry and industrial chain division (LQRxz = 1.214), and Xiamen and Quanzhou can further cooperate
on inter-industry division (LQRxq = 0.566); (3) In 2025, compared with the unadjusted mode, the “Xia–
Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area can achieve 35.21% of economic growth space and reduce energy consumption
by 32.85% under the synergetic mode. Therefore, regional industrial synergy can not only release great economic
growth potential, but also has important potential in promoting regional development to cross the “environmen-
tal mountain”. This study aims to explore an effective regional synergetic development path and new driving
forces to promote developing countries, especially China, to cross the “environmental mountain” and realize
the coupling development of social economy, resources, and environment.
© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

⁎ Corresponding author at: College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiang'an South Road, Xiang'an District, Xiamen 361102, China.
E-mail address: lhpeng@xmu.edu.cn (L. Peng).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142714
0048-9697/© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al.
Nomenclature
EM environmental mountain;
LQ location quotient;
LQR location quotient ratio;
KI Krugman regional division index;
S industrial structure similarity coefficient;
ARIMA auto-regressed integrated moving average model.
1. Introduction
Economic globalization has been impacted and the growth rate has
slowed down to some extent given the international financial crisis
and then the global outbreak of COVID-19. However, economic globali-
zation is irreversible (Bharti et al., 2015). The focus of cooperation may
shift to regional cooperation (Neville, 2016) to provide a systematic
analysis of how different territories adapt to globalization; thus, more
comprehensive and flexible strategies are proposed to respond to insta-
bility (Turok et al., 2017). The positive attitude of East Asian countries
toward regional cooperation and the positive response of China's “One
Belt and One Road” initiative to the negative impact of economic global-
ization are effective to achieve economic globalization in the context of
regional synergetic development (Ma and Chen, 2020). The closed de-
velopment mode cannot meet the requirements of sustainable develop-
ment (Wang and Meng, 2020), and cross-regional cooperation remains
an important driving force for improving the quality and efficiency of
economic development (Ivanova et al., 2019). China's economic devel-
opment shifts from a stage of high-speed growth to high-quality devel-
opment. The synergetic development of regional economy is a strategy
that requires continuous promotion and attention given the long-
standing imbalance of regional development (Development Strategy
and Regional Economic Research Department of the Development
Research Center of the State Council, 2017). Synergetic development is
an important foundation and means to achieve sustainable develop-
ment (Wang and Meng, 2020). Developing countries with rapid urban-
ization, such as China, necessarily focus on improving the allocation
efficiency of production factors, such as land, capital, and labor, releas-
ing new growth potential, and effectively promoting the coupling de-
velopment of economy and environment through regional synergy.
Synergy originated from the synergy theory in the field of physics; it
has been widely used in the analysis of social and economic systems.
Synergy can help subsystems in complex large systems to produce
joint effects, which are far more advantageous than the single effects
of subsystems (Haken, 2012). The synergetic development of regional
economy is the process of interaction and integration of various eco-
nomic subsystems. In addition, the “synergy” between internal subsys-
tems and “ultimately promoting the efficient and orderly development
of large regional economy” are the most important contents (Li, 2005;
Haken, 2012; Li and Liu, 2014). That is, one of the basic conditions for
progress is the joint efforts of many economic entities (Fomina et al.,
2018). Relevant studies on regional synergy mainly include measure-
ment of regional economic development difference and coordination
model (Chen and Gao, 2011; Gao and Ke, 2020; Xu and Hou, 2019), as-
sessment of the degree of regional synergetic development (Yan et al.,
2018; Liu et al., 2014; Fan and Fang, 2019), and analysis of influencing
factors of regional economic development differences (Li and Liu,
2014; Xu and Hou, 2019; Wang and Meng, 2020). Relevant research
covers different research objects and entry points, such as urban and
rural areas, industry, transportation, policy systems, enterprises, and
culture. However, regional synergetic development is still focused on
the synergy among economy, society, resources and environment. In
an open economic environment, inter-regional economic contact and
synergy are important to form a synergetic development among differ-
ent regions (Xu and Hou, 2019). Building an open environment and
2
Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714
actively integrating the regional economy into a larger regional network
are also necessary to accumulate production factors in the region (Wang
and Meng, 2020). The driving factors for the coordinated development
of regional economy have changed from regional comparative advan-
tage to regional comparative advantage and regional industrial division,
and coordinated development has entered a new stage (Li and Liu,
2014; Fomina et al., 2018). Aanalysis of the attribution of China's re-
gional economic gap revealed that the industrial development gap be-
tween regions is the main influencing factor (Gao and Ke, 2020).
Fomina et al. (2018) also pointed out that the strategic prospects of
inter-regional cooperation mainly come from the development trend
of local-level industrial cooperation. Therefore, as an important founda-
tion for regional synergetic development (Fang, 2017) and the core
driving force of regional economic synergy (Yang et al., 2018; Wang
and Meng, 2020), industrial synergy is representative and of great
practical significance to study the economic connection, synergy and
sustainable development between regions with regional industrial syn-
ergy as the entry point. Moreover, compared with the traditional eco-
nomic growth drivers (capital, labor, foreign trade and foreign direct
investment) (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop-
ment, 2010; Watson and Beaverstock, 2015), regional industrial syn-
ergy may also be a new driving force for regional economic growth.
The synergetic development of regional industry refers to the
process of two or more economic subjects in the region. These subjects
gradually evolve from pursuing their own independent industrial devel-
opment to pursuing mutual promotion and common development of
industries among economic subjects and achieving win–win and
mutual benefits (Xiang and Yang, 2018). Existing studies on regional in-
dustrial synergy mainly focus on the industrial synergy model and
mechanism (Chen and He, 2010; Xiang and Yang, 2018; Tian et al.,
2019), industrial synergy effects (Gomes-Casseres et al., 2006; Fomina
et al., 2018; Zheng et al., 2020), industrial synergy evaluation and mea-
surement (Fu et al., 2006; Yu et al., 2018) and other aspects. Relevant
studies have found that industrial transfer and upgrading have become
the key to achieve new synergy (Tian et al., 2019); industrial coopera-
tion and interaction makes up for the lack of resources due to redistribu-
tion and ensures the continuity of reproduction cycle (Gomes-Casseres
et al., 2006; Fomina et al., 2018); industrial synergetic agglomeration
also helps heterogeneous innovation elements to circulate and share
within a specific space, thereby promoting regional green innovation.
(Hu and Chen, 2019; Liu et al., 2020). Moreover, in regional competition
and cooperation, the vicious conflicts in the development of metropoli-
tan industries can be effectively alleviated and eliminated through the
formation of an integrated industrial division system (Wei, 2007;
Abreu and Andrade, 2019). However, the coordinated development of
regional economy is promoted by capital flows while inhibited by in-
dustrial diffusion, labor flow, and technology flow (Zheng et al., 2020).
The lack of in-depth industrial division and cooperation affects regional
synergetic development (Liu and Ma, 2012). Therefore, effective syner-
getic aggregation of industries and production factors is important for
the synergetic development of regional economy. However, most rele-
vant studies currently focus on the synergy between the three indus-
tries within a single city, that is, inter-industrial synergy. In addition,
the research on cross-geospatial regional industrial synergy is relatively
few. Most studies put forward industrial synergy as a policy proposal or
focus on synergetic evaluation as a well-established fact that it can pro-
mote economic growth by optimizing the allocation of space resources.
Few studies have combined specific cross-regional industrial synergy
programs to demonstrate the synergetic benefits in promoting eco-
nomic growth benefits to explore the benefits and potentials for re-
gional energy conservation and consumption reduction and green
development. That is, can cross-regional industrial synergy be an effec-
tive path crossing the “environmental mountain” (EM) (Graedel and
Allenby, 1995) during regional development? Does it have potential
for the coupling development of economy and environment? How to ef-
fectively promote regional economic synergy through regional industrial
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al.
synergy? Accordingly, the present research focuses on answering and
discussing all of these questions.
The economic relationship between cities is one of the essence of
cities (Timberlake, 2018). The theories of flow and synergetic space
staes that the economic structure of urban agglomerations or metropol-
itan areas is composed of the relationships between cities (such as the
flow of people, technology, capital, and information) (Watson and
Beaverstock, 2015). Synergetic development relies on the relationship
between cities to rationally allocate resources and promote the inter-
regional flow of production factors. (Wang and Meng, 2020). Rondinelli
(1980) found in related studies that the mutual flow of various produc-
tion factors between cities and between cities and regions leads to polar-
ization and radiation, division of labor and cooperation, and institutional
strengthening of regional development, thereby ultimately improving
the overall efficiency of the entire region. From the perspective of eco-
nomic theory, industrial synergy as a form of management can signifi-
cantly accelerate the pace of economic development (Fomina et al.,
2018). Related research has also confirmed that regional industrial syn-
ergy can promote the mutual supply, efficient integration, and optimal
allocation of various industrial development elements in the region
(Xiang and Yang, 2018; Fomina et al., 2018). Therefore, breaking the
urban individual and focusing on the regional synergy across administra-
tive divisions, this research puts forward research hypothesis 1: regional
industrial synergy can promote the synergetic development of regional
economies, and can achieve higher economic development momentum
and potential through synergetic development with surrounding cities.
In addition, as part of the circular economy, industrial symbiosis can
not only realize economic benefits but also reduce environmental impact
and greenhouse gas emissions (Yu et al., 2015). Relevant research has
found that the industrial symbiosis network has potential contributions
in promoting environmental innovation at the regional level (Mirata
and Emtairah, 2005). Taking a holistic approach to consider all industrial
energy flows and achieving synergy between industry and cities can ef-
fectively improve industrial energy efficiency (Karner et al., 2016).
Therefore, taking multi-regional coordination as a whole, we ponder
whether or not the synergy between regional industries can also show
a positive effect on regional industrial energy consumption when the
city changes from a center to a node. Then, the research hypothesis 2 of
this research is put forward: regional industrial synergy can improve
the industrial energy efficiency and exert energy saving potential in en-
ergy consumption.
The existing multiregional industrial synergy research is mainly fo-
cused on the large urban agglomeration, such as Beijing–Tianjin–
Hebei Urban Agglomeration, Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration,
and Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration. Although the synergetic de-
velopment of large urban agglomerations has the representativeness of
research as a national development strategy, large urban agglomera-
tions are generally large, with numerous internal cities and complex re-
lationships. Thus, necessary entry points and starting points are limited.
Metropolitan area, as an important node in the construction of urban
agglomeration, is a more appropriate entry point in terms of narrowing
the regional policy scale, refining regional policy units, balancing inter-
ests, and strengthening synergy (Zhang and Lin, 2019). The speed and
scale of urbanization suggest that most of the large-scale urbanization
in the future will not appear in super or megacities but will be concen-
trated in small and medium-sized cities in low- and middle-income
countries, such as those in Asia and Africa. In addition, the future secu-
rity and development of the metropolitan area will become the key fac-
tors affecting urbanization (Okeke et al., 2020). Therefore, this study
focuses on the synergetic development of metropolitan areas and se-
lects the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area (Xiamen, Zhangzhou
and Quanzhou), which is the core area of the Urban Agglomeration on
the West Side of the Straits, as the research object. This study aims to
break the research of individual cities, attach importance to the syner-
getic development of multiple regions, transform a single city from
the center to the node to carry out regional industrial synergy research,
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Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714
consider regional industrial synergy as a way and potential for the syn-
ergetic development of regional economy, tap new kinetic energy and
new ways of coupling development between regional economic growth
and resources and environmental protection, and explore the new po-
tential of regions or countries, especially developing countries, to cross-
ing the EM during rapid urbanization. It also provides a demonstration
and reference for regional synergetic development in the specific con-
trollable research of small-scale metropolitan areas and economic coop-
eration zones.
Here, we conducted a background introduction and related research
reviews of regional synergetic development and regional industrial syn-
ergy, summarized the existing research deficiencies and the footholds
and innovations of this research, and proposed research hypotheses.
The remainder of the paper is organized as follows. Section 2 presents
the case study area and research methodologies. A research methodol-
ogy flowchart is also established in this section. Section 3 contains the
results and analysis. Section 4 discusses several issues through analysis
of the findings. Section 5 summarizes the study.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study area
The “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area in Fujian Province is the
core area of the Urban Agglomeration on the West Side of the Straits
and consists of Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou cities (Fig. 1). The
economic synergy work of the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area
started in 2004, and in 2010, the “Xia–Zhang–Quan Urbanization” strat-
egy was put forward. In April 2018, the three cities joined forces with
Longyan City and Sanming City to establish the Southwest Fujian Eco-
nomic Cooperation Zone. As one of China's six special economic zones,
Xiamen plays a leading and central role in relevant collaborative work.
However, its role in economic radiation is not evident. Thus, it also af-
fects the synergetic work and the driving function of economic develop-
ment in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area to a certain extent. The
internal development of Xiamen City and the overall development of the
metropolitan area present a “small island effect” of independent develop-
ment. The regional cooperative work needs to be further promoted.
2.2. Location quotient
Location quotient (LQ) is an important index to judge whether an in-
dustry constitutes a regional specialized department. Greater LQ indi-
cates higher level of specialization. If the LQ is greater than 1, then the
industry is considered a specialized department of the region; if the
LQ is less than or equal to 1, then the industry is considered a self-
sufficient sector. LQ is applied to judge the advantage industry of each
city in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. The specific calcula-
tion formula is as follows:
!
m
Lij = ∑ Lij
j¼1
LQ ij ¼ !,
n n m
∑ Lij = ∑ ∑ Lij
i¼1 i¼1 j¼1
i represents the city, j represents the industry, m represents the
number of industries, n represents the number of cities, and Lij repre-
sents the output value of industry j in city i.
2.3. Location quotient ratio
The advantage industry in a region has its specialization advantage
over all industries. However, the same industry also has different spe-
cialization degree among different regions. To study regional synergy,
the comparative advantages of industries among regions should be
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al.
Fig. 1. Geographical location of the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area.
considered. The location quotient ratio (LQR) is an indicator to measure
the comparative advantages of industries among cities, and it is an im-
portant indicator for the measurement, identification, and direction of
industry cooperation among cities in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropol-
itan Area. The specific calculation formula is as follows:
LQ ik
LQR ¼ ,
LQ jk
LQik and LQjk represent the location quotient of the k industry in city i
and city j, respectively. If the LQR is greater than 1, then the k industry in
city i has a comparative advantage over city j; otherwise, it is at a rela-
tive disadvantage. When LQR is closer to 1, the comparative advantage
of the k industry between two cities is less evident, and the industry is
more suitable for intra-industry and industrial chain division of labor.
Conversely, when more LQR deviates from 1, the inter-industry division
of labor is more suitable.
2.4. Krugman regional division index
According to the theory of comparative advantage, in consideration
of economic interests and social needs, cities tend to develop industries
with relatively low opportunity costs and comparative advantages,
thereby generating division of labor among regions. The industrial ag-
glomeration caused by the division of labor is conducive to the forma-
tion of scale effect and the improvement of industrial specialization.
Thus, the improvement of the overall competitiveness and resource uti-
lization efficiency among cities is further realized. Krugman regional di-
vision index (KI) (Krugman, 2002) is a mature and widely used index to
measure the degree of regional division of labor effectively. The formula
is as follows:
4
Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714
n
KIij ¼ ∑ ∣xik −xjk ∣,
k¼1
where xik and xjk represent the proportion of k industry in the gross
product of regions i and j, respectively; 0 ≤ KIij ≤ 2. In addition, higher
value indicates higher degree of industry difference between the two
regions, and lower index value indicates greater industry isomorphism.
Generally, if KIij is less than 0.5, then the isomorphism of industries is se-
rious; if KIij is between 0.5 and 1, then a weak difference exists; if KIij is
greater than 1, then the difference is significant.
2.5. Industrial structure similarity coefficient
Whether the industrial structure is reasonable or not is an important
issue related to the sustainable development of regional economy. Sim-
ilar industrial structure between regions may involve the problems of
repeated construction of facilities and waste of resources. Thus, sustain-
able development of the region pursues more misplaced and coordi-
nated industrial structure. Industrial structure similarity coefficient is
an important index to measure the similarity degree of the same indus-
trial structure between two regions. The calculation formula is as fol-
lows:
 n 
∑ X Ai ⋅X Bi
i¼1
SAB ¼ sffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
ffi,
n n
∑ X Ai 2 ⋅ ∑ X Bi 2
i¼1 i¼1
SAB is the industrial structure similarity coefficient, 0 ≤ SAB ≤ 1; larger
value indicates a more serious isomorphism of industries between two
regions. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization be-
lieves that when SAB ≥ 0.9, the industry is isomorphism. XAi and XBi
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

represent the proportion of the added value of i industrial output value
in the total output value of A and B regions, respectively.
2.6. Modified space gravity model
Gravity model can quantify the relationship among cities (Sun and
Luo, 2016). The interaction potential of the two regions is directly pro-
portional to the population of the two regions and inversely propor-
tional to the distance between the two regions (Ullman, 1957). The
higher degree of industrial division of labor can promote the flow of ma-
terial means of production among cities, and the greater level of devel-
opment between the two cities suggests more complementary aspects
and closer connection. Therefore, to further improve the idealized hy-
pothesis of the gravity model, two parameters of industrial division of
labor and urbanization rate are introduced to modify the traditional
gravity model. The formula is as follows:
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
P i Gi ∗ P j Gj
Ui
Rij ¼ U ij ∗KI ij ∗ , U ij ¼ ,
D2 ij Uj
2.7.2. Scenario analysis and prediction
LQ and LQR are used to determine the advantage industry sectors,
combined with the annual growth rate of industry sector added value
of three cities and Fujian Province. The industry average annual growth
rate of the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area and its inner cities
were coordinated under the consideration of synergetic development,
and the industry development structures of the three cities were con-
structed (Table 2). Thus, the industry forecast output value of each
city in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area is obtained with the
synergetic development mode.
The historical data used are obtained from the statistical yearbooks
of the regions. The latest data of the three industrial gross outputs are
updated to 2018, but the latest available continuous data of each indus-
try sector are updated to 2017. Thus, the measurement interval of the
output value is obtained from 2018 to 2025. Among them, the 2020
and 2025 are the deadlines of China's 13th and 14th Five-Year Plan,
respectively.
The specific technical framework of this research is shown in Fig. 2.
3. Results and analysis

where Rij is the economic connection quantity between city i and j; Pi, Pj,
Gi, and Gj are the population and GDP of city i and j. Dij is the distance
between city i and j, and it is calculated as the shortest distance of
self-driving tour. Uij is the ratio of urbanization rate in city i and j, which
is represented by the proportion of urban population to resident popu-
lation at the end of the year. Eik and Ejk are the output values of k indus-
try in city i and j, respectively. Ei and Ej are the total output values of
industry in city i and j, respectively.
Furthermore, the overall economic connection quantity between
city i and other cities in the study area is represented by Ri. The eco-
nomic connection intensity of city i for city j is represented by Fij,
which reflects the radiation ability of the economic center to the sur-
rounding areas and the acceptance of the radiation potential of the sur-
rounding areas (Wang and Zhuang, 1996). The formula is as follows:
n Rij
Ri ¼ ∑ Rij , F ij ¼ : depth industrial division and synergy between cities, and the lack of
i¼1 Ri
2.7. Prediction model
2.7.1. Time series prediction model
Time series analysis is a method that reveals the law of phenomena
changing with time through historical data over time series (Lu, 2010).
The auto-regressed integrated moving average model (ARIMA) is ap-
plied to predict the specific industry output value of the three industries
in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. The specific prediction
model structure is shown in Table 1.
3.1. Internal economic development and external relation strength
With 1% of the land and 10% of the population in Fujian, Xiamen has
achieved 13% of the province's regional GDP, 24% of fiscal revenue, and
49% of import and export trade. Its jurisdiction covers six districts,
which are divided into two parts: the island (Siming and Huli districts)
and the island outside (Jimei, Haicang, Tong'an, and Xiang'an districts).
However, Xiamen's internal economy is mainly concentrated on the is-
land (Siming and Huli districts) (Fig. 3), and the development outside
the island lags behind. Economic development has certain characteris-
tics of “center-periphery” development, and the “small island thinking”
is obvious with the weak synergetic development. Thus, the current
center's economic radiation ability is still weak. Studies of economic de-
velopment and industrial coordination in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei re-
gion and the Yangtze River Economic Belt found that the lack of in-
promotion and radiation functions of central cities directly affect
regional synergetic development (Liu and Ma, 2012; Zhu and Shao,
2018). Therefore, Xiamen's economic development characteristics ex-
plain to some extent for its weak leading and driving role to other cities
in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. The six districts generally
show that the larger area, the smaller total economic volume (Fig. 3).
Therefore, the pressure on environmental carrying capacity, land re-
sources carrying capacity, ecological security, and other aspects may ex-
ists. And Siming District mainly develops tertiary industry; Huli and
Jimei Districts also account for a higher proportion of tertiary industry,
and Haicang, Xiang'an, and Tong'an Districts mainly focus on secondary
industry (Fig. 3). Thus, the main economic growth in Xiamen is driven

Table 1
Structure of time series prediction model of the output values of three industries.

Model Model fitness statistics Ljung-Box Q(18)

Flat R square R square BIC of standardization Statistics DF Significant

GDP (1,2,4) 0.568 0.999 26.072 7.486 13 0.875

PI (1,1,4) 0.357 0.989 18.967 15.463 13 0.279
Xiamen
SI (1,2,7) 0.590 0.997 25.711 10.010 10 0.440
TI (1,2,7) 0.483 0.999 24.873 8.023 10 0.627
GDP (1,2,2) 0.326 0.999 25.581 8.222 15 0.915
PI (1,1,4) 0.458 0.995 23.725 11.326 13 0.584
Zhangzhou
SI (1,2,5) 0.463 0.998 25.423 4.419 12 0.975
TI (1,2,5) 0.590 0.999 23.961 9.191 12 0.687
GDP (1,2,2) 0.378 0.999 26.870 15.158 15 0.440
PI (1,1,5) 0.556 0.997 21.541 12.850 12 0.380
Quanzhou
SI (1,2,4) 0.501 0.999 26.374 9.867 13 0.705
TI (1,2,1) 0.134 0.999 25.025 9.578 16 0.888

Note: PI indicates Primary Industry; SI indicates Secondary Industry; TI indicates Tertiary Industry.

5
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

Table 2
Average annual growth rate of industrial output value (%).

Industry sectors Xiamen Quanzhou Zhangzhou

UM SM UM SM UM SM

Primary Industry
Agriculture 4.37 7.28 5.12 5.12 6.78 7.28
Forestry 5.08 −1.66 2.96 0.00 11.36 15.07
Animal husbandry 3.05 7.56 2.12 2.12 6.77 6.77
Fishery 3.66 0.00 6.74 6.74 6.75 8.46
Agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery services 4.81 7.46 5.61 5.61 10.03 11.78
Secondary Industry
Coal mining and washing – – −3.38 −3.38 – –
Ferrous metal mining – – −20.18 −20.18 11.05 11.05
Non-ferrous metal mining – – −11.87 −11.87 11.50 19.43
Non-metallic Mining – – 16.45 13.30 13.27 18.01
Agricultural and sideline food processing 4.98 4.98 12.34 1.55 11.50 14.64
Food manufacturing 15.91 7.67 16.18 16.18 17.61 20.73
Wine, beverage and refined tea manufacturing −3.33 −3.33 9.57 9.57 12.97 17.62
Tobacco products manufacturing 7.20 7.20 – – – –
Textiles 7.35 0.00 4.22 8.50 12.71 8.08
Textile clothing and apparel −3.15 −3.15 7.29 14.00 8.70 6.97
Leather, fur, feathers and their products and footwear manufacturing −3.10 −3.10 8.04 10.21 15.80 10.21
Wood processing and wood, bamboo, rattan, brown, grass products manufacturing 3.31 0.00 6.18 0.00 14.29 19.09
Furniture manufacturing 10.54 8.54 15.77 11.10 6.72 9.80
Paper and paper products manufacturing 1.16 0.00 9.91 8.31 9.36 12.78
Printing and recording media reproduction 10.05 16.26 18.20 13.80 22.41 20.41
Culture and education, sports and entertainment products manufacturing 8.80 8.80 13.84 15.34 28.15 26.15
Petroleum, coal and other fuel processing −5.99 −5.99 22.92 15.00 4.59 4.59
Chemical raw materials and chemicals manufacturing −9.12 −9.12 4.99 0.00 17.12 19.35
Pharmaceutical manufacturing 18.27 20.00 7.90 7.90 16.20 17.90
Chemical fibre manufacturing −12.02 −12.02 6.37 9.00 23.94 0.38
Rubber and plastic products manufacturing 4.77 7.42 0.28 0.28 14.97 13.81
Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing 4.01 0.00 5.77 15.74 15.47 8.18
Ferrous metal smelting and calender processing −59.61 −59.61 46.23 36.25 8.33 9.00
Non-ferrous metal smelting and calender processing 7.37 9.40 1.10 1.10 4.32 0.00
Metal products manufacturing 17.24 20.81 14.56 14.56 11.10 11.10
General equipment manufacturing 5.91 2.17 9.68 13.50 3.55 3.55
Special equipment manufacturing 5.43 8.69 7.46 7.46 4.11 4.11
Automotive manufacturing 11.21 11.21 10.20 0.00 3.47 9.36
Railways, ships, aerospace and other transport equipment manufacturing 1.02 5.39 8.08 8.08 −9.48 1.10
Electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing 8.23 9.03 9.35 9.35 4.01 11.03
Computers, communications and other electronic equipment manufacturing 6.69 7.83 16.97 0.00 15.05 15.05
Radar and related equipment manufacturing 3.15 3.15 – – – –
Instrument manufacturing 10.07 14.28 16.04 0.00 13.19 14.45
Other manufacturing −6.43 −6.43 0.35 2.22 −3.17 −3.17
Comprehensive utilization of waste resources 58.86 10.92 38.92 38.92 4.96 10.92
Metal products, machinery and equipment repair industry 11.44 16.03 33.84 0.0 −14.52 0.00
Power and heat production and supply −2.03 −2.03 11.44 11.44 4.40 10.97
Gas production and supply 1.58 0.00 41.01 33.80 13.75 13.75
Gas production and supply −0.90 0.00 14.29 14.29 7.37 9.34
Construction industry 7.15 13.37 11.70 11.70 14.48 16.17

Tertiary industry
Wholesale and retail trade 6.51 6.51 9.68 12.16 7.28 7.28
Transport, warehousing and postal services 14.57 14.57 7.78 11.96 16.14 16.14
Accommodation and catering 8.30 6.51 5.81 7.44 7.72 7.72
Information transmission, software and information technology services 21.93 27.42 15.89 15.89 15.93 15.93
Financial industry 19.39 23.17 17.36 15.52 18.71 18.71
Real estate 13.72 27.08 12.17 12.17 8.90 12.77
Leasing and business services 15.23 15.23 28.03 36.02 30.12 36.02
Scientific research and technical services 18.40 20.00 12.54 12.54 18.17 18.17
Water conservancy, environment and public facilities management 21.08 21.08 13.28 13.28 19.06 19.06
Resident services, repairs and other service 15.44 15.44 23.90 23.90 26.41 36.34
Education 14.61 14.61 16.19 23.96 11.66 11.66
Health and social work 17.48 25.69 15.73 15.73 16.02 28.82
Culture, sports and entertainment 12.14 15.00 20.75 20.75 25.14 36.32
Public management, social security and social organization 11.89 11.89 15.37 20.42 14.94 15.64

Note: UM indicates Unadjusted Mode; SM indicates Synergetic Mode.

by the tertiary industry. The synergy between tertiary industry and
manufacturing industry plays a positive role in green innovation and
green development (Hu and Chen, 2019; Liu et al., 2020). Therefore,
jumping out of the island part, making great efforts to expand city plat-
form and economic flow, and improving the overall economic radiation
ability to the surrounding areas and the industrial coordination function
are important directions.
As far as the economic structure of the metropolitan area is con-
cerned, the importance of a city depends not only on its inherent
socio-economic attributes, but also on the transmission efficiency and
density of production factors (Wang and Meng, 2020). That is, economic
contact and interaction with the outside world are highly necessary for
the function of the city. Through the calculation of the modified spatial
gravity model, Xiamen (726.0), Quanzhou (612.3), and Zhangzhou

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Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

Fig. 2. Research technical framework.

Fig. 3. Spatial distribution of economic output in Xiamen City in 2018.

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Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

Fig. 4. Economic ties between cities in Fujian Province in 2017.

(441.1) are found to be the top three cities in Fujian Province in terms of
the total amount of external economic links, and the economic links be-
tween them are the closest and much larger than those of other cities
(Fig. 4). At the same time, the three cities have the highest intensity of
economic contact with each other, and the interaction of economic
activities is more frequent than other cities (Table 3). The regional syn-
ergetic development is also a process in which the intensity and quan-
tity of economic links among cities constantly expand (Wei, 2018).
One of the striking features of a metropolitan area or economic cooper-
ation area is that its internal economic ties are closer than those of other

Table 3
Intensity of external economic ties between cities in Fujian Province in 2017 (%).

Xiamen Zhangzhou Quanzhou Longyan Sanming Fuzhou Nanping Putian Ningde

Xiamen – 43.36 43.70 4.18 1.03 2.89 0.60 3.29 0.96

Zhangzhou 71.36 – 19.70 3.74 0.41 2.59 0.30 1.62 0.27
Quanzhou 51.81 14.19 – 3.06 1.65 12.98 1.68 12.87 1.76
Longyan 40.08 21.79 24.70 – 2.45 5.99 2.29 2.16 0.55
Sanming 10.98 2.66 14.86 2.73 – 21.67 44.31 1.93 0.86
Fuzhou 7.26 3.96 27.54 1.57 5.10 – 8.57 19.50 26.50
Nanping 5.57 1.69 13.28 2.23 38.84 31.92 – 4.43 2.04
Putian 13.55 4.07 44.78 0.93 0.74 31.98 1.95 – 2.00
Ningde 6.88 1.18 10.59 0.41 0.58 75.34 1.56 3.46 –

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Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

Table 4 Table 5
Industrial LQ of each city in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. LQR of the three industries among cities.

Cities Q1 Q2 Q3 Cites Primary Secondary Tertiary Overall

industry industry Industry industry
Xiamen 0.132 0.812 1.285
Quanzhou 0.617 1.134 0.882 Xiamen–Quanzhou 0.214 0.716 1.457 0.566
Zhangzhou 2.876 0.940 0.907 Xiamen–Zhangzhou 0.046 0.864 1.416 1.214
Quanzhou–Zhangzhou 0.215 1.207 0.972 2.145
Note: Q1, Q2, and Q3 represent the LQ of the primary, second, and tertiary industries,
respectively.

regions. Therefore, Xiamen is not only geographically close to Quanzhou
and Zhangzhou (commuting circle <1 h), but also has close internal
economic links, with evident metropolitan characteristics. Moreover,
long-term economic connection is an important characteristic of indus-
trial cooperation (Rodina, 1990), which lays an important foundation
for regional industrial synergy in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan
Area.
3.2. Regional industrial structure characteristics and synergetic development
The division of urban functions is a multidimensional compound
mechanism, which works through the relationship within and between
cities and industries (Lei et al., 2019). Industrial synergy is largely based
on the comparative advantages of a particular territory (region, coun-
try) or industry (Fomina et al., 2018). Through the calculation of the
LQ of three industries in each city of the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropoli-
tan Area, an evident gradient structure is found in the industrial devel-
opment of the three cities, thereby providing the internal motive force
for regional industrial upgrading and synergy. Xiamen, Quanzhou, and
Zhangzhou take the tertiary industry, secondary industry, and primary
industry as the leading industry, respectively (Table 4). The three cities
have great potential in industrial synergy development. However, the
industrial structure similarity coefficient among cities are greater than
0.9 (Sxq = 0.94, Sxz = 0.96, Sqz = 0.98). That is, although the three in-
dustries of the three cities are complementary to each other to some ex-
tent, a serious isomorphism is observed in the industrial sector structure
of three industries. As a consequence, avoiding homogeneous competi-
tion and waste of resources, realizing misaligned development and re-
optimizing the allocation of resources are important directions for
coordination.
Through Krugman regional division index, the industrial structure
difference among cities in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area is
further analyzed. The results are as follows: (1) in terms of the primary
industrial structure, the three cities have serious isomorphism, but the
D e g r e e o f i n d u s t r ia l d iv is io n o f la b o r
isomorphism between Xiamen and the two other cities has improved;
(2) in terms of the secondary industrial structure, evident differences
are found in the industrial structure among cities, and all KI values are
greater than 1, indicating good complementary advantages and great
cooperation potential among the industries; (3) in terms of the struc-
ture of the tertiary industry, the industrial structure among cities has a
certain isomorphism, but this phenomenon has been improved to
some extent. In particular, Xiamen and Quanzhou have changed from
serious isomorphism in the tertiary industry in 2016 to a weak differ-
ence, and the work of industrial division and cooperation among cities
constantly advances (Fig. 5).
The modes of the regional industrial synergetic development include
inter-industry division of labor, intra-industry division of labor, indus-
trial chain division of labor, and comprehensive integration of industries
(Xiang and Yang, 2018), and the inter-regional correlation increases.
The inter-industry division of labor has been realized between the cities
in the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. Thus, based on the LQR
(Table 5), the mitigation of industrial structure isomorphism and the fu-
ture synergy between cities are further discussed. The research results
show the following: (1) the overall industrial LQR between Xiamen
and Quanzhou deviates from 1, and the inter-industry division of
labor and cooperation should be realized; (2) the overall industrial
LQR of Xiamen and Zhangzhou is close to 1, and intra-industry and in-
dustrial chain division and cooperation should be implemented, espe-
cially in the secondary industry; (3) Quanzhou's industry is generally
superior to Zhangzhou, and the LQ between the secondary and tertiary
industries is close to 1 although the overall industrial LQR deviates from
1; thus, intra-industry and industrial chain division of labor cooperation
should be achieved; (4) in the division of labor in the primary industry,
Xiamen and Quanzhou should continue to achieve inter-industry coop-
eration with Zhangzhou.
The difference of industrial structure is an external manifestation of
inter-city relationship. A large difference in industrial structure is con-
ducive to regional industrial division of labor and cooperation. Common
development among different industrial sectors and with other social

2.00
1.80
1.60 Significant
1.40 difference
1.20
1.00
0.80 Weak
0.60 difference
0.40
Serious
0.20
isomorphism
0.00
2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017
Xiamen-Quanzhou Xiamen-Zhanghzou Quanzhou-Zhangzhou
Primary industry Secondary industry Tertiary industry

Fig. 5. Industrial division of labor between cities.

9
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

activities is an important mechanism for long-term economic develop- structure; (2) the output values of the primary industry in the three cit-
ment (Saviotti et al., 2020). Although the industrial isomorphism of ies under the synergetic development mode are higher than the unad-
the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area is currently relatively high justed mode (Fig. 6 a, d, and g); (3) although the output value of the
and the degree of synergetic development is relatively weak, the re- secondary industry under the synergetic mode is lower than that of
gional industrial synergy potential is still relatively great. If a higher the unadjusted mode in the early stage, the output value exceeded in
level of industrial synergy can be achieved, then greater economic the middle and late period of the 14th Five-Year Plan, that is, the syner-
growth potential is released. getic benefit of the secondary industry requires some time to adjust be-
fore it is gradually reflected (Fig. 6 b, e, and h); (4) after 2021, the output
3.3. Economic growth momentum of regional industrial synergy value of the tertiary industry shows the characteristics of synergetic
mode higher than that of unadjusted mode (Fig. 6 c, f, and i); (5) after
Industrial structure is the basic structure of regional economic devel- a short adaptation period, the gross output of the three cities released
opment (Fu et al., 2006). The formation of functional division of labor higher economic benefits through synergy in the early period of the
between cities is not the purpose of economic development but an ap- 14th Five-Year Plan (Fig. 7), and the regional industrial synergy had a
proach to achieve urban economic development and efficiency im- positive effect on the regional economic growth. Fomina et al. (2018)
provement (Lei et al., 2019). Therefore, whether industry can play the studied industrial cooperation and its impact on sustainable economic
advantage of scale economy is the key problem of regional industrial growth and found that mature industrial cooperation systems can in-
structure adjustment. Through the prediction of industrial output crease the economy by 2.3%–3.0%, and that industrial cooperation also
values under different industrial structure development modes, that enhances the impact of labour (7%–10%), capital factors (18%–20%)
the following findings are obtained: (1) the fitting effect between the and exports (25%–26%) on economic growth. The positive effect of in-
predicted value of time series analysis model and the trend line of actual dustrial cooperation on economic growth can also be played in cross-
output value is acceptable (Fig. A.1), which can effectively reveal the regional industrial synergy. Thus, our results positively verify the hy-
possible future output value development under the present industrial pothesis 1 of this study, that is, regional industrial synergy can promote

Pr imar y Industr y Secondar y Industr y Ter tiar y Industr y

400 900

Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )
Ou t p u t Va lu e (100 million yu a n )

Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )

75 (a) (b) (c)

800
65 350 700
55
Xia men

600
45 300
500
35 400
250
25 300
15 200 200
2019

2021
2018

2020

2022

2023

2024

2025

2022
2018

2019

2020

2021

2023

2024

2025
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Year Year Year

300 1000 1000
Ou t p u t Va lu e (100 million yu a n )

(d) (e) (f)

Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )
Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )

900 900
270
800 800
Qu a n zh ou

700 700
240
600 600

210 500 500

400 400
180 300 300
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Year Year Year

800 500 700
Ou t p u t Va lu e (100 million

(h)
Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )

(i)
Ou t p u t Va lu e (1 b illion yu a n )

(g)
450 600
700 400
Z h a n gzh o

500
yuan)

350
600 400
300
300
500 250
200 200

400 150 100

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Year Year Year

Control Interval Unadjusted Mode Prediction Synergetic Mode Prediction

Fig. 6. Output value forecasts of the three industries under different development modes.

10
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

Xiamen Quanzhou Zhangzhou

150 200 150
G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

160
100 100
120

80
50 50
40

0 0 0

2019
2018

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2021
2018
2019
2020

2022
2023
2024
2025
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
Year Year Year

Unadjusted Mode Prediction Synergetic Mode Prediction

Fig. 7. Industrial gross output value forecasts under different development modes.

the synergetic development of regional economies, and can achieve 32.85% (Fig. 8). Therefore, regional industrial synergy is important
higher economic development momentum and potential through syn- for regional sustainable development.
ergetic development with surrounding cities. Regional industrial syn- Embedding the energy consumption and economic growth of the
ergy can effectively break the “small island thinking” that seeks “self- study area into the EM curve (Fig. A.2). The slope of the industrial
development” in economic development, and can achieve scale econ- synergy mode curve is smaller than that of the unadjusted mode,
omy effect and sustainable economic development through dislocation and the total energy consumption is less under the same economic
and synergetic development when combined with resource endow- development scale (Fig. 9 c,d,e,f). Thus, the overall area of the “Xia–
ment and technical conditions. Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area and the internal cities show evident
potential crossing the EM in terms of the coupling of economic
growth and energy consumption under the regional industrial syn-
3.4. Analysis of the potential crossing the EM ergy (Fig. 9). Relevant research results have effectively verified hy-
pothesis 2 of this study, that is, regional industrial synergy can
Developed countries pay a higher environmental price for economic improve the industrial energy efficiency and exert energy saving po-
development during the industrialization period. Therefore, decoupling tential in energy consumption. Synergy can effectively transform the
resource use from economic growth is important for developing coun- external consumption of a single city in the development process of
tries, crossing the EM of resource development (Lu et al., 2015). Bai “small island mode” into the internal development resources of a
et al. (2014) analyzed economic development and environmental pres- large region. Thus, the overall region can achieve higher economic
sure based on park level and found that the construction of an eco- benefits and effectively reduce energy consumption, and then cross-
industrial park is a powerful driving force to realize the decoupling ing the EM. The relevant prediction results are the predictions under
relationship between economic growth and environmental pressure. the most conservative synergetic development. In the actual devel-
In addition, it helps to achieve a wide range of national or regional opment process, with the promotion of the national emission reduc-
decoupling. An eco-industrial park is a microcosm of regional industrial tion policy and better allocation and use of energy consumption
synergy and an effective practical way for circular economy develop- brought by the industrial technology upgrade under the synergy,
ment. Therefore, the potential of regional industrial synergy in pro- the circular economy in the metropolitan area achieves a higher
moting the coupling development of economy and environment level of development, and substantial ecological industrial integra-
should be considered after jumping out of the restriction of adminis- tion has greater space for development.
trative division. When considering the synergetic development of re-
gional industries, whether a more optimized industrial structure and 4. Discussions
higher economic growth is more environmentally friendly should be
considered. 4.1. Regional coordinated development enhances sustainable development
The comparison of the economic development and energy con- potential
sumption of the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area and its
three internal cities under different industrial structure develop- Small island thinking” is actually a development mode opposite to
ment modes shows that by the end of 2020, the difference between synergetic development. It leads to the “island effect” that only focuses
economic development and energy consumption under the two de- on self-development rather than interactive development with sur-
velopment modes is small. However, at the end of the 14th Five-Year rounding cities. However, “small island thinking” does not only refer
Plan, (1) without difference in energy consumption, Xiamen can to the development thinking that island cities have. In fact, this develop-
achieve a 39.15% economic development breakthrough under the ment thinking also exists in other regions of China and the world with
industrial synergetic development mode; (2) Quanzhou has not the influence of the administrative divisions or local protectionism. Ev-
only achieved 26.59% economic development under the industrial ident regional development imbalances are observed due to the lack of
synergetic mode, but also decreased 34.79% energy consumption synergy in China. Therefore, on the basis of the original regional devel-
compared with the unadjusted mode; (3) due to the relatively back- opment strategy, the Chinese government has also proposed the
ward economic development of Zhangzhou among the three cities, Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Coordinated Development, the Yangtze River
it has achieved the highest economic growth (47.13%) under syner- Economic Belt, the construction of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao
getic cooperation, but its energy consumption also increased by Greater Bay Area, the integration of the Yangtze River Delta, the ecolog-
9.37% with the development of secondary and tertiary industries; ical protection of the Yellow River Basin, the construction of the
(4) compared with the unadjusted mode, the entire “Xia–Zhang– Xiong'an New Area, high-quality development and other major strate-
Quan” Metropolitan Area can achieve 35.21% economic growth gies, and the sharing economy and synergetic concept have been con-
under the synergetic mode with energy consumption reduced by tinuously valued and promoted.

11
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al. Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714

140 140 18

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

(c) Zhangzhou

Ener gy Consumption (1×106 tec)

(a) Xiamen

Ener gy Consumption (1×106 tec)

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )
5 +9.37% 16
120 120
+39.15% 14
100 4 100 +47.13% 12
80 3 80 10
60 60 8
2 6
40 40
1 4
20 20 2
0 0 0 0
UM SM UM SM UM SM UM SM
2020 2025 2020 2025
GO 59.90 61.74 93.33 129.88 GO 49.37 49.01 80.32 118.17
EC 4.19 4.19 4.85 4.87 EC 8.95 9.38 15.56 17.02

200 +26.59% 500 500 300

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

Ener gy Consumption (1×106 tec)

(b) Quanzhou (d) 'Xia-Zhang-Quan' +35.21%

Ener gy Consumption (1×106 tec)

G r oss O u t p u t (10 b illion yu a n )

400 250
400 -32.85%
150
200
300 300
-34.79% 150
100
200 200
100
50
100 100 50
0 0 0 0
UM SM UM SM UM SM UM SM
2020 2025 2020 2025
GO 102.36 96.07 153.70 194.56 GO 211.63 206.82 327.35 442.61
EC 111.14 96.88 329.68 214.98 EC 100.85 88.69 266.71 179.10

Fig. 8. Economic development and energy consumption forecast under different development modes. Note: UM stands for Unadjusted Mode; SM stands for Synergetic Mode; GO stands
for Gross Output; EC stands for Energy Consumption.

The results of this study indicate that the synergetic development 4.2. Small scale cross-regional platforms effectively release the effectiveness
among cities can release the potential of economic development to a of regional policies
greater extent, and it can successfully achieve the EM by effectively
transforming the external losses of independent development into the Regional policy can promote the initiative of overall planning and ef-
development momentum of other regions in a large area. Regional syn- fectively guide close cooperation among all subjects. China has solved
ergetic efforts have also shown great potential in reducing energy con- the problem of unbalanced regional development through a series of
sumption and carbon emissions. The research group has also found in economic integration development strategies and measures and has
other series of studies that regional synergy has a major contribution achieved some results. At present, the synergy effect is not prominent
to regional ecological and environmental protection. Thus, even in the because the synergy object is large. Thus, considering the positive pro-
context of the slowing down of the process of economic globalization, motion role of the policy is very important by improving the policy pre-
synergy is still essential to sustainable development and an important cision and pertinence on the relatively small-scale cross-regional
force for releasing more growth poles of economic development and platform. The research results show the problems of evident industrial
harvesting more ecological and environmental benefits. Although the isomorphism among cities, lack of reasonable industrial division and co-
cooperation process faces various problems, it is still worthy of continu- ordination, and weak radiation function of central cities in large urban
ous efforts to advance the relevant work. agglomerations, such as Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration

6 350 20 300
E n er gy C on su mp t ion (1h106 t ec)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

5 300 250
16
250
4 200
200 12
3 150
150 8
2 100
100
Unadjusted Mode 4
1 50 50
Synergetic Mode

0 50 100 150 0 100 200 300 0 50 100 150 0 100 200 300 400 500

Gross Output (10 billion yuan)

Fig. 9. Relationship between energy consumption and economic development in “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area. Note: (a), (b), (c), and (d) are the curves of energy consumption
and regional GDP in different industrial structure development modes of Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area, respectively.

12
Y. Chen, H. Nie, J. Chen et al.
and the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Thus, further refining the regional
policy scale is necessary. Relevant regional policies should play a guid-
ing role as early as possible on development platforms, such as metro-
politan areas and small and medium urban agglomerations, with
precise control from key nodes, and promote the synergetic develop-
ment of large areas from points and areas.
4.3. Constraints and countermeasures for regional collaborative development
The effectiveness of industrial cooperation is largely affected by
institutional-related environmental conditions, such as market condi-
tions, competitiveness, sector entry and exit barriers, freedom of capital
and resource flow and information access (Obecny and Sanders, 2017).
The “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area belongs to the southern
Fujian region, with good communication foundation in culture back-
ground, life habits, and other aspects, thereby laying a good foundation
for the synergetic development of the consumer market. In the existing
development of the three cities, the integrated development of infra-
structure has achieved good results, laying a good foundation for the
smooth flow of resources and information. However, due to the lack of
regional synergy mechanism, relevant policies and institutional mecha-
nisms are still in the framework of promoting urbanization develop-
ment in individual cities. Thus, regional synergy still cannot easily
form a joint force. This phenomenon is also common and difficult in re-
gional synergetic development.
Cross-regional synergy is often restricted by issues, such as unequal
administrative levels, inconsistent local development will, imperfect
cost sharing and benefit-sharing mechanisms, and inadequate assess-
ment mechanisms. Therefore, the establishment of an equal and mutu-
ally beneficial synergy mechanism is necessary to address the problems
faced in the cross-regional synergetic development. On the basis of the
integrated development of transportation, infrastructure, market, in-
dustry, and environment, countermeasures and suggestions for regional
synergetic development system and mechanism construction are pre-
liminarily proposed, as follows: (1) establishing an inter-city synergy
mechanism and improving the benefit-sharing and compensation
mechanism; (2) setting up the industrial synergetic joint meeting
system, industrial synergy supporting liaison agency, and platform;
(3) establishing a stable mechanism for industrial chain docking and ex-
tension, project collection, and release; (4) formulating corresponding
ecological environment improvement and compensation schemes;
(5) promoting the construction and in-depth exploration of innovative
synergetic systems and mechanisms.
5. Conclusions
This study considers regional industrial synergy an entry point and
the “Xia–Zhang–Quan” Metropolitan Area as a case to carry out the em-
pirical study on the specific benefits of regional industrial synergy as a
path to promote the synergetic development of regional economy,
and explores its new potential to promote the coupling development
of economic growth and resource and environmental protection. Main
research conclusions are as follows: (1) although the “Xia–Zhang–
Quan” Metropolitan Area has serious industrial structure isomorphism
(Sxq = 0.94, Sxz = 0.96, Sqz = 0.98) in specific sectors, the close eco-
nomic ties and the overall development of the three industries with ob-
vious gradient structure make the regional industrial synergy have great
development potential; (2) Xiamen and Zhangzhou should realize syn-
ergy in intra-industry and industrial chain division of labor (LQRxz =
1.214), and Xiamen and Quanzhou should realize further synergy in
inter-industrial division of labor (LQRxq = 0.566); (3) regional indus-
trial synergy can effectively break the “small island effect” mode formed
by seeking “self-development” in economic development, and has the
potential to release economic growth in greater space; (4) regional in-
dustrial synergy is an effective way to crossing EM in China with the im-
provement on industrial energy utilization efficiency and energy saving
13
Science of the Total Environment 765 (2021) 142714
in energy consumption; (5) metropolitan area can better reflect the
characteristics of the economic development of large urban agglomera-
tions and is the epitome of the economic development of large regions.
Thus, it can serve as the core node and effective grasp to promote the
synergetic development of large regions.
CRediT authorship contribution statement
PLH conducted research design, method application guidance and
manuscript editing. CYP performed data analysis, manuscript writing
and revision. NHT performed data collection, processing and manu-
script editing. CJJ performed mapping and manuscript editing. All au-
thors contributed to the work and gave final approval for publication.
Declaration of competing interest
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial
interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influ-
ence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgements
This research was supported by National Key Research and Develop-
ment Program of China (2016YFC0502900). The authors would like to
thank Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou and Fujian Province Bureau of
Statistics for their data accessibility for this study. We also acknowledge
the reviewers for their helpful and constructive comments.
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142714.
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