Count on the growth pole strategy for regional economic growth? Spread-backwash effects in greater central China

KE S. and FESER E. Count on the growth-pole strategy for regional economic growth? Spread-backwash effects in Greater Central China. Regional Studies. This paper investigates spread-backwash effects associated with non-agricultural gross domestic product and employment growth across 922 cities and counties in Central China between 2000 and 2005. Simultaneous equation estimates find mixed spread-backwash effects from prefecture and higher-level cities to comparable or lower-level cities and counties. Spread effects of gross domestic product and employment growths are also indicated between county-level cities. However, county-level cities exerted backwash effects on rural counties. The paper discusses the implications of these findings in relation to the construction of urban economic growth zones in Central China as an important strategy of Central Rise. © 2010 Regional Studies Association.