Abstract:

Due to multiple conflicts derived from differences in objectives, port-city relations are no longer just a single situation of simultaneous rise and fall. Economic connection and spatial symbiosis are the basic support of the relationship between port and city, and with the transformation of urban industrial path and the migration of ports to open sea space, whether it is possible for urban development to break away from the dependence on port operation after entering a certain stage deserves special research. Therefore, the concept of port city decoupling was put forward for the first time, and the influencing factors and realization conditions of port city decoupling were revealed. Based on the theoretical exploration on the possibility of decoupling between city development and port operation, Tapio decoupling model was adopted to estimate the specific status. The evaluation systems of port and city were structured including the index of industrial diversification, the twelve samples of the main port cities of Bohai rim were selected to test the decoupling type empirically. The research shows that although the decoupling status of most port cities often change, the decoupling between port and city really become the impossible evolution path. Observed from the delineation and distribution of decoupling status of port cities around the Bohai Sea, the pattern shows alternating fluctuations of various types on the whole, and this is in line with the characteristics and facts of port city heterogeneity. Even if the decoupling between port city development and port operation become a reality, the course will be gradual. The influence factors of decoupling between port and city includes the development stage of port city, open economy level, industrial diversification, etc. The difficulty of decoupling is relatively small for two types of port cities, one is cities where port operation and local economy have not been deeply integrated, the other is central cities with strong economic strength and diversified development paths. According to the individual estimation of the dynamic possibility of port city decoupling in the case area around the Bohai Sea, Dandong and Qinhuangdao are already in decoupled state. There is a great potential for Tianjin and Qingdao to decoupling in the future, but the evolution of port city relationship in Dalian is not stable. The port city correlation of most samples such as Tangshan, Yingkou and Rizhao is still close, these cities are less likely to be decoupled. Most port cities will continue to explore between close dependence and alienation. At the policy level, it is necessary to regularly monitor the development status and trend of port cities.

Key words: port city, decoupling, Tapio model, industry diversity