The theory and measurement model of administrative region potential from the perspective of administrative division adjustment using Chongqing city as a case study

There is a lack of basic theory and methods to examine the effect of administrative division (AD) on regional development. Based on the theory and practice of Chinese AD adjustments, this study defined the concept of administrative region potential (ARP) and developed a quantitative model to measure the ARP. Then, the model was validated using Chongqing as an empirical case. The results show that: (1) the ARP consists of energy of position (i.e., geographic space factors) and gravitational potential energy (i.e., administrative management system factors). Administrative division adjustment can change the ARP, thereby changing its path and driving force or regional development. (2) The ARP model of Chongqing city can objectively reflect the effects of administrative division adjustment events on Chongqing city. Specifically, the ARP includes variables of land jurisdiction, human capital level, fixed asset investment capacity, and administrative hierarchy of fiscal decentralization and administrative decentralization. (3) The ARP promotion has a significantly positive influence on the performance of local economic development in Chongqing city. (4) Reasonable AD adjustments will assist the region by integrating production elements and resources, enhancing the political power of the city, improving its ARP, and then promoting local economic development. The ARP model is proved to be an efficient method to understand and explain the regional effect of AD adjustment. It provides a new analytical perspective for the planning of AD adjustment in various regions, which can also be used as a practical method for assessing the effects of AD adjustment. © 2019, Science Press. All right reserved.