Urban Competitiveness Measure Analysis of Jinan and Qingdao Cities

The comparative analysis of Jinan and Qingdao which are located in Shandong peninsula is made with the purpose of improving urban competitiveness of these two most influential cities and reinforcing Shandong province's macroeconomic strength accordingly. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodology is applied to structure an urban competitiveness model. Furthermore, a dynamic evaluation of both cities is conducted based on evaluation methodology involving factorial analysis and AHP, which is followed by strategic proposals beneficial to both of them and is thus conducive to the region's economic harmonious development. Blessed with run-through location advantage, Shandong province ranks only second to Guangdong province in numbers of cities and is also well-known for its rapid economic growth in China. Jinan and Qingdao, the major cities in Shandong province, serves as the provincial political centre and the open coastal region respectively, representing two different urban competitiveness development models. The analysis focusing on their urban competitiveness is sure to disclose their advantages, disadvantages, current conditions and potential separately, which is contributed to blueprint drawing for the whole province. The authors utilizes multivariable statistics analysis method and makes full use of social economic statistics software SPSS to standardize a variety of indicators related with Jinan and Qingdao cities during 2004-2008. Besides, the final scoring in terms of their urban competitiveness is attained thanks to AHP that figures up each indicator's weight. On the basis of the above-mentioned methodology, the evaluation analysis concerning comprehensive competitiveness of Jinan and Qingdao is carried through and suggestions aimed at sustainable development of the province are put forward accordingly.