Transformation from Rural Industrialization to Suburban Industrialization in Guangzhou: Pattern and Mechanism

Analyzing the trajectory and mechanism of rural industrial change is important for understanding urban–rural integration and facilitating rural revitalization. Based on the data of industrial enterprises in 1112 administrative villages of Guangzhou, China, from 1978 to 2020, we identify the evolution trend of rural industry by investigating the spatial–temporal dynamics of industrial changes in rural areas. An extended triple-process framework incorporating urbanization and greenization was employed to unravel the underlying mechanism of the trajectory of rural industrialization. The results highlight the transformation from rural to suburban industrialization. In the past twenty years, rapid urbanization has contributed to the establishment of development zones. The agglomeration economy has led to a higher concentration of manufacturing industries in these development zones rather than rural areas. The eco-friendly development has resulted in a green transition in rural areas, further restricting the growth of traditional rural industries. Our analysis provides a nuanced picture of Guangzhou’s spatial–temporal dynamics of rural and suburban industrialization. Meanwhile, it emphasizes the importance of urbanization and greenization in explaining the recent transformation of industrialization in China.