High-quality development in industrial parks: New narrative and pathway to sustainable development from a policy perspective in China

Narratives and concepts of sustainable development tailored to local contexts have gained intensive interest among scholars and practitioners. In 2017, China introduced "high-quality development" as a new national strategy, yet its connotation remains ambiguous, especially in industrial parks. This study employs coding analysis of high-quality development policies and topic analysis of industrial park policies from the past forty years to clarify this connotation. The relationship between high-quality and sustainable development is comprehensively examined through different sustainability narratives and the three pillars of sustainable development. A total of 72 semantic structures across 16 dimensions in three clusters— “Aims,” “Enablers,” and “System Perspective”—were identified to provide a detailed illustration of the concept. A framework incorporating surrounding elements was also developed, offering a foundation for fostering cumulative knowledge on this topic. This article will provide an approach to enhance future understanding of sustainable development in diverse local contexts. [Display omitted]