  Coordination development across various subsystems, particularly economic,
social, cultural, and human resources subsystems, is a key aspect of urban
sustainability that has a direct impact on the quality of urbanization.
Hangzhou Metropolitan Circle composing Hangzhou, Huzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, was
the first metropolitan circle approved by National Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC) as a demonstration of economic transformation. To evaluate
the coupling degree of the four cities and to analyze the coordinative
development in the three systems (Digital Economy System, Regional Innovation
System, and Talent Employment System), panel data of these four cities during
the period 2015-2022 were collected. The development level of these three
systems were evaluated using standard deviation and comprehensive development
index evaluation. The results are as follows: (1) the coupling coordination
degree of the four cities in Hangzhou Metropolitan Circle has significant
regional differences, with Hangzhou being a leader while Huzhou, Jiaxing,
Shaoxing have shown steady but slow progress in the coupling development of the
three systems; and (2) the development of digital economy and talent employment
are the breakthrough points for construction in Huzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing.
Related suggestions are made based on the coupling coordination results of the
Hangzhou Metropolitan Circle.
