Urban competitiveness evaluation and the evolvement in Northwest China

The Urban competitiveness is an important factor in determining the level of urban development potential; a comprehensive scientific evaluation of urban competitiveness is the basis for determining the city's future development strategy and direction. The study established an evaluation index system for urban competitiveness in Northwest China from four major areas: the economic,social,science and education,and environmental competitiveness. Using the principal component analysis,the urban competitiveness of 30 prefecture-level cities in Northwest China were evaluated quantitatively,and then the urban competitiveness in 2004,2007 and 2011 and the evolvement characteristics were studied to make a comparative analysis of the sort of city competitiveness.Then we put forward some countermeasures to improve the urban competitiveness of Northwest China.