Abstract:

This study begins by examining the applicability of the territory-place-scale-network (TPSN) research framework in the Global South. It discusses the characteristics of regional competition and cooperation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as the core mechanisms through which the individual emirates engage in territorial division, place-making, cross-scalar interactions, and networked connections. Through empirical studies of the Khalifa Industrial Zone and the Jebel Ali Free Zone, this study reveals differentiated patterns among the emirates in terms of industrial policy, development positioning, resource allocation, and the gradation of development scale. In addition, using the UAE's railway network and aviation sector (airports) as case studies, the paper analyses the specific approaches by which infrastructural development in regional transport mitigates inter-emirate competition and fosters collaboration. The findings indicate that the UAE's model of regional governance is highly representative. Specifically, regional governance in the Global South tends to place greater emphasis on development efficiency, seeking to maximise economic benefits through the centralised allocation of resources. Regional competition and cooperation are profoundly shaped by national policy direction and the leading role of core administrative regions, while spatial integration exerts a strong impetus for administrative and institutional integration at the regional level. Generally, this study justifies the applicability of the TPSN framework in analysing regional governance issues in the Global South and offers a new theoretical perspective and practical reference for exploring the mechanisms of competition and cooperation within regional governance.

Key words: territory-place-scale-network framework(TPSN framework), regional governance, regional competition and cooperation, UAE

摘要：

本文从地域-场所-尺度-网络（TPSN）研究框架在全球南方国家的适用性问题出发，讨论阿拉伯联合酋长国的区域竞争与合作特征，以及各酋长国在地域划分、场所建构、跨尺度博弈与网络化联系等方面的核心机制。通过对哈利法工业区、杰贝阿里自贸区的实证研究，本文揭示了酋长国间在产业政策制定过程中存在的发展定位、资源分配、规模竞次等差异化发展问题。此外，本文以阿联酋铁路及航空业（机场）为案例，分析酋长国间在区域交通基础设施建设中缓解区域竞争、促进区域协作的具体方式。研究表明，阿联酋的区域治理模式具有典型代表性，具体而言：全球南方国家的区域治理更强调发展效率，通过资源集中配置实现经济效益最大化；区域竞争与合作深受国家政策的引导及核心行政区主导作用的影响；空间一体化进程倒逼行政与制度层面的区域一体化发展。简言之，本文验证了TPSN框架在分析全球南方国家区域治理问题中的适用性，并为剖析区域治理中的竞争与合作机制提供了新的理论视角与实践参考。

关键词: 地域-场所-尺度-网络（TPSN）框架, 区域治理, 竞争与合作, 阿拉伯联合酋长国