International Metropolis Soft Power Evaluation and Empirical Studies from Shanghai

Abstract

The AHP analysis method is used to determine various factors affecting soft power of international metropolis, and these factors are listed in order. The research finds that the important indices include share of cultural industry in GDP, urban green coverage, number of highly educated personnel, and qualified personnel who have studied abroad choose to stay in the city, etc. The 2009 empirical data analysis from Shanghai showed that indices such as urban environment, urban culture, and urban mobility have increased 85.7%, 91.6% and 128.1% upon those of the year 2000, respectively. While urban mobility is higher than the value of other factors, the index is still low, this may be more due to the lack of openness of the existing residence registration and social security system in Shanghai. In the mean time, education development and urban innovation effects are not significant as well. Therefore, the city should strengthen efforts to attract talents, improve quality of urban culture and urban image, and enhance cohesion of modern metropolis and cultural soft power, to improve the city's soft environment.

Key words: AHP analysis; Soft power; International metropolis; Weight of index