Uncovering the driving mechanism of regional synergistic development based on Haken model: case of the Bohai Rim region

Regional synergetic development in urban agglomeration or economic circle is one of the most significant features of regional sustainable development. The driving mechanism of regional synergistic development in the Bohai Rim region during period 2001–2012 has been explored based on the Haken model in two phases when identifying the order parameters in the synergistic development system. Meanwhile, this paper also proposes the modified approach to evaluate the synergistic development level through determining the distance between the system status point and system balance point, the latter of which is assessed by the potential function of synergistic development system. The results showed that: (1) the order parameter of regional synergistic development in the Bohai Rim region has been transformed from the regional comparative advantage index in the phase one (2001–2005) to both regional correlation intensity index and regional industrial division index (2006–2012), revealing that the Bohai Rim region has stepped into a new situation of synergistic development; (2) it shows the gentle changes in the distance between the system status point and the system balance point of the study area in two phases, which indicates the region still harbors a weak synergistic development level; (3) the Bohai Rim region should depend more and more on the radiation capability from Beijing to the other provinces and the industrial division degree among all provinces. The study can provide the scientific basis for the management and policies in the sustainable development of the Bohai Rim region.