Study on the synergistic development efficiency of Guangzhou under the rail transit Networks: A dual-dimensional perspective of inter-district and inter-industry

• Dual-dimensional analysis of collaborative development in Guangzhou. • Guangzhou shows rising comprehensive and collaborative efficiency. • Rail transit network improves connectivity but constrains peripheral development. • Manufacturing and producer services show high spatial similarity. • Provides Chinese evidence for rail-based urban collaboration. In recent years, promoting regional synergistic development has become a key objective for the next stage of global city development. The rapid construction and continuous improvement of rail transit networks (RTNs) have significantly reshaped urban spatial organization and the flow of resources, profoundly affecting synergistic development. This study aims to enrich the theoretical and empirical literature on regional coordinated development in China at a micro scale, taking Guangzhou—a major economic hub in China—as the research object. Under the context of RTNs, we employ quantitative modeling and big data analysis to measure synergistic development levels along two dimensions: inter-district and inter-industry. The evolution of Guangzhou’s synergistic development is further analyzed. Results show that Guangzhou’s overall development level continues to improve, inter-district disparities exhibit dynamic convergence, and the overall synergistic development level is continuously optimized. RTN connectivity and agglomeration levels have significantly increased, while cross-district rail connections still require enhancement. Districts such as Yuexiu and Liwan serve as core nodes, whereas Nansha has not yet assumed a sub-central city role. The spatial layouts of manufacturing and productive service industries (PSIs) show considerable similarity; the spatial similarity is strongest between transportation service industries and manufacturing, followed by science and technology(S&T) services.