Fuzzy Model of Regional Economic Competitiveness in GIS Spatial Analysis: Case Study of Gansu, Western China

After more than 20 years of impressive development since the economic reforms in 1978, today western China is facing an increasing development gap between its regions, particularly between urban and rural areas. Using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model, this paper aims to demonstrate the evolution of the economic competitiveness levels base on two categories of geographical unity in the province of Gansu located in Northwest China between 2000 and 2004. The results of fuzzy modeling are integrated into GIS spatiotemporal analyses in order to identify the spatial variation of each significant change in terms of the regional economic development. Our research effectively illustrates that there is a particular spatial dynamic of the economic development from region to region. Although the cities have improved very well in their economic competitiveness, the rural areas and minority regions still have a lot of progress to be achieved.